The football community is mourning the death of Ryan Mallett, the former NFL quarterback who died in a drowning accident on Tuesday.
“The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett,” the franchise, which drafted Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss.”
“Tough one to swallow,” Julian Edelman, Mallett’s former teammate with the Patriots, tweeted. “Thoughts are with the family. #RIPRyanMallet.”
“Rest in peace Ryan Mallet!” James White, another former Patriots teammate, tweeted. “Gone way too soon, sending my condolences to his family !”
Mallett starred for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 2008-10.
“Our @RazorbackFB family lost an incredibly special person today,” Hunter Yurachek, the director of athletics at the school, said in a tweet. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett. #OneRazorback.”
“Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett,” J.J. Watt, who caught Mallett’s first career touchdown pass in 2014 with the Texans, tweeted. “Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother.”
“Man…Rest Easy Ryan Mallett..,” Pat McAfee said on Twitter. “I had the opportunity to have a few beers with Ryan and I always appreciated his kindness. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN OUR TIME IS COMING… life is finite. Let’s never forget that.”
Mallett had been the head football coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas since last February.
“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” the school district said in a statement, per 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.”