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UPDATE: Former NFL and Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett identified as drowning victim in Destin

UPDATE: The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 35-year-old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas. Mallett, born on June 5, 1988, was an accomplished quarterback whose collegiate career flourished at Arkansas before he took the leap to the professional realm. In 2011, Mallett’s was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of […]

UPDATE: The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 35-year-old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas.

Mallett, born on June 5, 1988, was an accomplished quarterback whose collegiate career flourished at Arkansas before he took the leap to the professional realm. In 2011, Mallett’s was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the NFL Draft. He also played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.

  • Most recently, Mallett served as the head football coach at White Hall High School in White Hall, Arkansas.

Original report below:

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent drowning that claimed the life of a tourist in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday afternoon.

  • First responders were called to the beach behind 775 Gulf Shore Drive in Destin around 2:12 p.m., according to the report.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, a group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore.

One of the individuals, an adult male, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when he was pulled out.

According to the OSCO, lifesaving measures were immediately undertaken but the man was pronounced deceased at the Destin Emergency Room.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” wrote White Hall School District on Tuesday night. “Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.”

6 Responses

  1. This is another tragedy that should not have happened! Prayers to Ryan’s entire family and friends!

  2. Prayers for Ryan’s family and friends. All beaches, Please have huge signs for RIPTIDE warnings..

  3. Many people make the error of fighting a riptide. The best action to take is swim parallel to shore. All beaches in FL should have flags and one is for Riptide and the flag with a large red means Hurricane Dangers.

  4. Our prayers are with the family. Sadley They Did and Do have the Riptide Warning Red & Double Red flags out for the last week, so has Panama City beaches.
    But so many think they can make it and it just gets so rough out there and takes all your energy.
    I found myself in a Situation many years ago in Newport beach as a teen and scared the crud outta me and taught me a big lesson.

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Community Comments

“I think they need to put up some kind of signs also for out tourist.”
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“Response from Robert. Deanna? From Raleigh? Nice perspective! Thank you! I'm in the area where it will become the world's largest artificial reef. It will also benefit marine life, I...”
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“Won’t the deterioration of the ship pollute the water?”
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“Wow....wow....wow! I love everything about this. A hardworking and deserving family being blessed by another local hardworking family. THIS is what life is about people!! STOP THE HATE”
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“I wonder if Destin ordered it or made a bid ? This is very smart to prevent oil drilling in the Gulf ( why that orange guy changed the name...”
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“What a sad end for America's Flagship. They make it sound great but they just throwing her away into the gulf to make money for a few when she should...”
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“My grandson just graduated from there last year. Best kids around. He was a little shy joined leadership and just blossomed from there. He loved the pep rally's. He is...”
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“UPDATE: SARAH MANGUM, COACH McMILLIN, AND FORT WALTON BEACH HIGH FOR THE WIN!!!”
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“It's been 30 years and it's been gutted and rotted. No one can afford the bill to keep it afloat. It's over. At least now it can be a boon...”
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