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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

“So let me get this right everyone is happy about protecting the environment and saving taxpayer's money. Than what is with the new trail they just made with a Dozer...”
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“I support Elgin AF for their stewardship of this beautiful landscape the Base occupies! However: The warning signs are the ugliest thing ever! Perhaps blue background with white text saying...”
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“Might have tried a few no parking no access signs first. What an eyesore a fence will be.”
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“The trashing isn't from the Eglin AFB property, it is from the vehicle traffic on 98. I have volunteered for clean up along this roadway and can say that all...”
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“Prefect joe.. The former Democratic Speaker of the House, Pelosi, once lectured Republicans, and I quote: "We're all God's children; there's a spark of divinity in every person on Earth,...”
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“Tourists and locals throwing trash ️”
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“Tara m!! The only way to keep it trash free is to close 98! It's tourists and locals throwing the trash out of the window”
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“While I agree that our Island should have better upkeep, I would task the Tourist Development Council, with this. Eglin doesn’t advertise for tourists that I know of. Eglin does...”
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“Getting on and off the island will be as bad or worse.”
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