Patriots Bill Belichick, Tom Brady Grieving Over Tragic Death of Ryan Mallett

"I am extremely saddened by Ryan (Mallett's) tragic passing," Patriots coach Bill Belichick says. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched."

The New England Patriots and the NFL family received some bad news on Tuesday, and coach Bill Belichick has taken it upon himself to express sadness about the tragic death of Ryan Mallett.

"I am extremely saddened by Ryan's tragic passing," Belichick said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched."

Bill Belichick on the passing of Ryan Mallett. pic.twitter.com/3Yz2U6F8Yd

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 27, 2023

Mallett, just 35, a former Patriots quarterback, passed away due to a drowning accident in Florida. He had been working as the head football coach at White Hall High School.

The accident occurred off a Florida Panhandle beach, in Destin, the sheriff’s office said, noting that the area's rip currents have claimed at least 11 lives in the last two weeks along the Gulf Coast.

According to law enforcement officials, Mallett was pulled under the water and was not breathing when lifeguards brought him to the shore. He later died at the hospital.

The Patriots selected the former University of Arkansas quarterback in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He spent three years in New England serving as a backup to Tom Brady. Said Brady in a social media post: "We lost a great man. Thank you for everything, Ryan. Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.”

After Mallett's time in Foxboro, he moved to the Houston Texans for two seasons and then he played for the Baltimore Ravens for three more seasons.

In total, Mallett spent six seasons in the NFL and completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 1,835 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In his best college season, in 2010, he threw for 3,869 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.7 completion percentage, finishing seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.