Sheriff releases new statement surrounding drowning death of Ryan Mallett

Sheriff Eric Aden of Okaloosa County has released a new statement surrounding the drowning death of former Arkansas Razorbacks and NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett.

The 35-year old died after drowning off the shores of Destin, Florida on Tuesday, local authorities reported.

“The tragic loss of life, it’s always difficult when we lose a tourist or resident here, but we have no indication here of any dangerous conditions out there,” Aden said in a videotaped statement Wednesday.

“The entire Okaloosa County, as well as Destin, we’re not under red flags or double red flags despite some of the misperceptions out there. We were under a yellow flag, which is just swim with caution. It just seems to be a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents.”

Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office released body-cam footage from that day, along with the taped statement, to Facebook, which you can view here.

Mallett and a group of others were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Gulf Shore Drive when they began struggling, according to a tweet from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Mallett was seen going under the water at that point.

By the time he was rescued and brought to shore he was not breathing and live-saving attempts as resuscitation weren’t successful, according to the first responders.

Shortly after sharing this information, the sheriff’s account tweeted that they had identified the deceased as Mallett. 

“We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in his tragic passing,” the tweet said.

The entire football world continues to send their prayers and sympathies to the family and friends of Ryan Mallett following this harrowing tragedy.

More on former Arkansas Razorbacks QB Ryan Mallett

Continuing, the football program released a statement via Twitter, calling Mallett a “legend” of the program before sending out thoughts to the quarterback’s entire family.

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” the statement said. “He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match. He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Debbie and his extended family.”

Following the initial news, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek confirmed Mallett’s death from his personal social media account along with a heartfelt message to his family, friends and all the lives that he touched.

“Our [Arkansas football] family lost an incredibly special person today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback,” Yurachek said.

The New England Patriots issued a statement on the passing of Mallett, who was drafted by the franchise in 2011.

“The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.”

The Patriots selected Mallett in the third-round (74th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. 

One of the top high school quarterback prospects in the nation in the 2007 signing class, Mallett chose to sign with Michigan out of Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas. The Batesville, Arkansas, native returned to his home state after one season in Ann Arbor. After redshirting the 2008 season, he started for the Razorbacks in 2009 and ’10.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this article.