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Sheriff provides update on Ryan Mallett cause of death

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/29/23

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden gave an update on former quarterback Ryan Mallett's death on Wednesday, one day after it was reported that the 35-year-old had drowned.

Aden said that there were some "misperceptions" regarding potentially dangerous conditions on the Destin, Fla. waters and the event was a "tragic accident," rather than due to the tides.

The sheriff said there was "no indication of dangerous conditions" on Tuesday and swimmers were under a yellow flag, which means "swim with caution."

"It just seems to be just a tragic accident and not something to do with the conditions of the surf or tides or currents," Arden said.

According to a TMZ Sports report, the former University of Arkansas star was "among a group of swimmers" in the ocean "struggling to make their way back to shore." Per the report, authorities said that Mallett went under water during the struggle, and when he was eventually pulled out, he was "unresponsive."

The report said he was later pronounced dead at a local emergency room.

Destin is approximately 50 miles from Pensacola, Fla., where former NFL running back Peyton Hillis (another former Razorback) saved his two children from drowning in January. Hillis had a lengthy hospitalization following the event, at one point being in critical condition and in the ICU, but has since recovered.

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