Former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett’s drowning this week in Florida was not the result of riptides, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s department said.
“It just seems to be just a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents,” said sheriff Eric Aden said in a video statement released this week.
Destin beaches, which is where the drowning occurred, were under yellow flag warnings at the time. Yellow flags denote beach-goers to swim with caution.
Destin Beach safety responded after being informed that one of six swimmers struggling to get back to shore had submerged and did not resurface. Lifeguards entered the water, found Mallett and brought him ashore. Destin Fire Paramedics began measures there and transported him to the hospital where he died.
Mallett, 35, played two seasons for the Razorbacks and is the school’s single-season leader in yards passing and passing touchdowns.
[lawrence-auto-related count=1]