Former NFL star Ryan Mallett has died in an obvious drowning on the age of 35.

The former quarterback was taken to hospital in Destin, Florida, however was pronounced lifeless.

Mallett, who performed for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, had been on vacation when the incident occurred.

According to police, he was a part of a gaggle of swimmers at a seaside when the alarm was raised.

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office mentioned: "A group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore.

"One of the people, an grownup male, went below and lifeguards say he was not respiration when pulled out."

Destin, which is part of Florida's Gulf Coast, has seen a number of warnings about the sea conditions in recent days, with the US National Weather service saying swimmers should expect dangerous rip currents to develop.

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Tributes from the world of American soccer poured in following Mallett's dying.

A tweet from the NFL learn: "The NFL family is deeply saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

The Patriots tweeted: "The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett."

Baltimore paid tribute to a "tremendous person and a loyal teammate" and former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wrote on Instagram: "We lost a great man. Thank you for everything Ryan."