A Tennessee fan mocked the death of former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett prior to the college football game in Knoxville on Saturday. It is a horrible look for the Volunteers.
Unfortunately, one bad apple casts a dark shadow on the entire fanbase.
This one particular person ruined one of the most unique tailgating scenes in college football. I would love to give him (or her) the benefit of the doubt, but I find it hard to believe this is a case of ignorance.
Ryan Mallett tragically passed away in 2023.
Mallett played college football at Arkansas from 2008-2010. He started 26 games over two seasons and completed ~60% of his passes for 8,385 yards and 69 touchdowns. The Razorbacks went 8-5 in 2009. They finished as the No. 12 team in the country with 10 wins and a Sugar Bowl appearance in 2010.
There is perhaps no quarterback in recent history who is more synonymous with the university than Mallett. When you think Arkansas, you think No. 15.
Ryan Mallett went on to play seven years in the National Football League with the Patriots, Texans and Ravens as a third-round pick in 2011. He eventually returned to the Natural State as an assistant high school coach in 2020. White Hall High School named him as its head coach in 2022.
And then tragedy struck.
Mallett drowned on June 27, 2023. First responders were called to a beach in Florida that afternoon.
“A group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office said. “One of the individuals, an adult male, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when pulled out.”
That man was later identified as Mallett, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Ryan Mallett. He was a Razorback legend with larger-than-life talent and a personality to match. He led our program to some of our best moments in recent memory. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are… pic.twitter.com/aYlMOBkHAV
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) June 27, 2023
His untimely death sent shockwaves across the college football community. Especially Fayetteville.
A Tennessee fan mocked his death.
Arkansas will play at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. Tennessee fans arrived to Knoxville on Friday, some by boat.
The Vol Navy sets up its “sailgate” on the Tennessee River prior to game day. Fans gather on the water to drink, eat and be merry. They eventually make their way up from the docks to join the masses at kickoff. It is one of the coolest traditions in college football, dating back to 1962.
Unfortunately, the scene on Friday afternoon stains the entire fanbase.
One particular boat, named ‘Escape Plan,’ displayed a skeleton on its stern in extremely poor taste. The skeleton was wearing a No. 15 Arkansas jersey.
Disgusting! #VolNavy pic.twitter.com/6hZ4Y8dNRr
— Trey Schaap (@TreySchaap) October 10, 2025
Mallett, who drowned to death, wore No. 15 for Arkansas. To display his jersey on a skeleton on the water could not be more disgusting.
Some Volunteers fans tried to defend the move by pointing to the calendar. Halloween is less than three weeks away and this was just a decoration for the holiday, they claim. There is no underlying meaning to the skeleton or its jersey number. It isn’t that deep.
I find it hard to believe that is true. And even if it is true, the excuse of ignorance does not get a pass.
The post Tennessee Fans Mock Tragic Death Of Arkansas Quarterback With Classless Tailgate Decoration appeared first on BroBible.
Tennessee Fans Mock Tragic Death Of Arkansas Quarterback With Classless Tailgate Decoration
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