New England Patriots issue statement after passing of former QB Ryan Mallett

The New England Patriots issued a statement on the passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett, who reportedly drowned in Florida Tuesday. He was 35.

The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss. pic.twitter.com/TUpa7cpXoS

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 27, 2023

“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. He spent three seasons in New England, serving as backup to Tom Brady. The Patriots traded Mallett to the Houston Texans, where he played the 2014 and part of the ’15 season. Mallett finished his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2016 and ’17. Mallett appeared in 21 games, making eight starts (3-5) during his career. He threw for 1,835 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 55.1% passing.

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, Mallett started for the Razorbacks in 2009 and ’10.

In 2009, he completed 55.8% of his passes on 403 attempts for 3,624 yards. He tossed 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions that year as Arkansas went 8-5 and won the Liberty Bowl. Mallett was the MVP of that game, throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown as the Razorbacks prevailed, 20-17, in overtime.

Arkansas remembers Ryan Mallett after unexpected passing

Mallett offered an encore in 2010, finishing seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting at the end of the year. He threw the ball 411 times and completed 64.7% of his attempts, racking up 3, 869 passing yards. He added 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Razorbacks went 10-3 that year, playing in the Sugar Bowl.

“We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett,” Arkansas said in a statement. “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 [and] will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Debbie and his extended family.”

White Hall High School (Arkansas) named Mallett its head football coach in 2022. He took over a White Hall team that went 11-3 the previous year and finished as state runners-up with a loss to Pulaski Academy in the state title game. Mallett replaced Bobby Bolding, who resigned after the 2021 season but remained at the school as athletic director.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” White Hall School District said in a statement, via ESPN. “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.”