by Tom Brady reacted Tuesday to the death of his former New England Patriots teammate Ryan Mallett.
Mallett, 35, drowned in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Authorities said Mallett was one of the people near a shoal struggling to get back to shore and capsized. Lifeguards pulled him out, but he was not breathing and later died.
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Brady posted a photo of him and Mallett at camp on his Instagram Stories when the two were on the Patriots.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and teammate Ryan Mallett walk out of the tunnel before playing the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 20, 2013. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“We lost a great man,” Brady wrote. “Thank you for everything, Ryan… Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.”
Mallett was a standout quarterback in Arkansas before the Patriots selected him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was with the Patriots until the 2014 season, when he joined the Houston Texans. He was later traded to the Baltimore Ravens before becoming a free agent in March 2018.
FLORIDA SHERIFF CHALLENGES BEACHGOERS FOR IGNORING WARNINGS BEFORE DROWNING OF FORMER NFL QB RYAN MALLETT
The NFL issued a statement on Mallett’s death.
New England Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, left, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, at an afternoon practice as the team prepares for the playoffs. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the league said.
The Patriots later released a statement.
“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.”
Mallett took over as head coach at White Hall High School in Arkansas. The school district issued a statement about his death.
Ryan Mallett, #15, and Tom Brady, #12 of the New England Patriots, during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 18, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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“It is with great sadness that we share in the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett. Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you keep his family, team, students, fellow coaches and White Hall School District staff in your prayers. . ,” the school said.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
