Ryan Mallett’s tragic death at 35 was not caused by riptides, Destin beach officials say

Ryan Mallett’s drowning death did not come in hazardous sea conditions, officials have said.

The former NFL quarterback’s death, which came as he was vacationing in Destin, Florida, was confirmed on Tuesday night. He was just 35 years old.

And while the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said there had been ‘widespread media misinformation’ about the conditions in the water at the time of Mallett’s death, he did not die in a riptide.

Destin Beach Safety said in a statement that there were no riptides present in the around where Mallett was found, and said the water flag condition was yellow.

A yellow flag ‘indicates medium hazard, moderate surf and/or currents,’ the statement said. 

Destin Beach Safety has said the conditions in the water were moderate when Mallett died

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Alden added, ‘It just seems to be a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents.’

According to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators, Mallett ‘began struggling while attempting to swim to a second sandbar about 150 feet offshore of the beach.’

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mallett’s death in a statement.

‘A tourist died in an apparent drowning offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,’ it read on Tuesday evening.

‘A group of individuals were reportedly struggling offshore when a man went under.

‘He was not breathing when lifeguards found and pulled him out. Tragically lifesaving measures weren’t successful.’

Mallett was taken from a Florida beach to the hospital after first responders were called to the area at 2.12pm. He was pronounced dead at the Destin emergency room.

Destin Beach Safety said in its statement that a beach attendant had called 911, reporting six individuals struggling to get back to shore. 

The Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage of police officers responding to the incident on Tuesday.

One deputy can be heard saying to another, ‘I think they’ve got him on the board now,’ before the footage cuts to an ambulance. 

Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter, KNWA reported.

Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter, KNWA reported. The ex-player went Facebook official with Carter less than a month ago, on June 1

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has released bodycam footage of the incident

The video cut to footage of an ambulance after showing the scene on the beach

The former Arkansas Razorbacks star went on to play for the Patriots, Texans and Ravens in the NFL.

His time in New England included backing up seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady for two seasons.

‘We lost a great man. Thank you for you everything Ryan,’ Brady wrote Tuesday night.

‘Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.’

Mallett’s former New England coach, Bill Belichick, also paid tribute to his former player on Tuesday night.

‘I am extremely saddened by Ryan’s tragic passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched.’