Riptides not a factor in former NFL quarterback’s death

Riptides didn’t factor into the apparent drowning of former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett, Florida authorities said Wednesday as they released body cam footage of an officer rushing to the tragic scene.

Mallett, 35, was killed while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off the Panhandle coast Tuesday afternoon, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

“The tragic loss of life, it’s always difficult when we lose a tourist or resident here, but we have no indication here of any dangerous conditions out there,” Sheriff Eric Aden said in a videotaped statement Wednesday.

“The entire Okaloosa County, as well as Destin, we’re not under red flags or double red flags despite some of the misperceptions out there.”

“We were under a yellow flag, which is just swim with caution,” he continued. “It just seems to be a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents.”

Mallett, an Arkansas native, began to struggle as he tried to swim to a second sandbar about 150 feet from the beach near Gulf Shores Drive around 2:15 p.m., sheriff officials said in a Wednesday press release.

Lifeguards raced to rescue Mallett when he went under the water, but he wasn’t breathing when he was pulled out, officials said.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A short snippet of body cam footage released by the sheriff’s office showed an officer running toward the scene as dozens of bystanders on the shore watched the scary commotion.

“I think they got him on the board now,” the officer was told by a colleague when he reached the scene.

Additional footage only showed a slew of first responders’ vehicles, including an ambulance, responding to the scene.

Mallett played in the NFL for five seasons, including for the New England Patriots where he backed up Tom Brady, the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.

He was quarterback at the University of Michigan for one year before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he wrapped up an impressive college career.

“He lived with great enthusiasm and he could really throw the ball with incredible arm strength,” former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr told the Associated Press Wednesday. “By the time he was a senior at Arkansas, he was physically mature.

“You don’t see many guys like him.”

Mallett was coaching football at White Hall High School in Arkansas before his sudden death.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” the school said in a statement.

“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.”