Ryan Mallett

Ryan Mallett: biography

Ryan Mallett was a talented American football quarterback who had a career in the National Football League (NFL). From 2011 to 2017, Mallett served as a backup quarterback for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens.

Childhood and youth

Ryan Mallett was born on June 5, 1988 in Batesville, Arkansas to Jim and Debbie Mallett. His father worked as a high school teacher and football coach, while his mother was also a teacher. Ryan had an older sister named Lauren. During his youth, he developed a friendship with Will Middlebrooks after they met at a football camp in seventh grade.

Mallett completed his high school education at Texas High School in Texarkana. He gained recognition as one of the top prospects in the nation, ranked as the No. 2 quarterback and No. 4 overall player by Rivals.com. In 2006, he was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas. Mallett's talent and achievements earned him a spot in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2007, where he was awarded the Glenn Davis Army Award as the best player on the West team.

Despite receiving offers from several Power 5 schools, Ryan Mallett made the decision to play college football at the University of Michigan.

Football career

Ryan Mallett had an eventful football career, showcasing his talents at both the collegiate and professional levels. After transferring from the University of Michigan to the University of Arkansas, Mallett made a name for himself as a standout quarterback.

During his time at the University of Arkansas, Mallett played under head coach Bobby Petrino and quickly became known for his impressive arm strength and accuracy. In his first season with the Razorbacks in 2009, he threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns, setting school records and earning him recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

Mallett continued to excel in his second season at Arkansas in 2010, throwing for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns. His performances earned him numerous accolades, including being named First-Team All-SEC and a finalist for the Manning Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Following his successful college career, Mallett declared for the 2011 NFL Draft. He was selected in the third round by the New England Patriots. As a backup to future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, Mallett spent his first three seasons in New England, learning from one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

Although Mallett didn't see much playing time with the Patriots, his strong arm and potential caught the attention of the Houston Texans. In 2014, he was traded to the Texans, where he had an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position.

Mallett started six games for the Texans during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. While he showed flashes of his talent, inconsistencies and performance issues hindered his progress. Despite his potential, he struggled to secure the starting role and was eventually replaced.

After his time with the Texans, Mallett had brief stints with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 and a return to the Texans in 2017. However, he failed to find a stable starting position in the NFL and was released by the Ravens in 2017.

In 2019, Mallett participated in the XFL Tampa Bay Summer Showcase, although he did not ultimately get drafted into the league.

In 2021, Mallett joined The Spring League Generals. He made an impressive debut in his first game, completing 20 out of 31 passes for 252 yards in a 21–19 victory over the Jousters. Mallett's strong performance earned him recognition, and in week 6, he was honored as the South Division Player of the Week.

Personal life

At the time of his unfortunate passing, Ryan Mallett was not married. However, he had a previous marriage to Tiffany Seeley, which was relatively brief. The marriage lasted for a duration of four months, from June 17, 2020, to October 19, 2020.

Death

On June 27, 2023, tragedy struck as Ryan Mallett drowned in Destin, Florida, at the age of 35. The news of his passing prompted the NFL to express their condolences via a statement on Twitter, expressing deep sadness and offering thoughts to Mallett's family and loved ones.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred when Mallett, accompanied by his girlfriend and friends, was swimming and got caught in a rip tide. Despite efforts to reach the safety of a sandbar, he was unable to overcome the powerful current and tragically drowned. The National Weather Service had previously issued a warning about rip currents in the area, although the Destin beaches were under yellow flag conditions, indicating caution, rather than the more severe double red flags at the time of the unfortunate incident.

Accomplishments and achievements

During his collegiate career, Ryan Mallett received several notable awards and recognitions:

• In 2010, he was honored as the Premier Player of College Football Trophy Winner.
• Mallett was selected for the All-SEC second team in both 2009 and 2010, recognizing his outstanding performance in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
• He was named the Autozone Liberty Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player, showcasing his exceptional performance in that particular bowl game.
• Mallett earned the SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolade multiple times for his impressive performances against South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt. This recognition highlights his impact and contributions in those respective games.