Most of the sports world was shocked and upset about the news former NFL & Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett drowned off the coast of Destin, Florida on Tuesday.

Of course, it hit family and friends the hardest.  One of those friends, was his best friend,  former Boston Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks and Middlebrooks took to twitter to express his sadness.

Middlebrooks and Mallett both grew up in Texarkana, Texas, although Middlebrooks attended Liberty-Eylau High School while Mallett went to Texas High. And yet a pair of high school athletes from a small northeast Texas town, population 36,017, ended up in the one of the largest American cities at the same time.

Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots out of University of Arkansas and was when them from 2011-2013.  Middlebrooks was drafted by the Red Sox out of high school in 2007 and play in Boston from 2012-2014.

Even Middlebrooks mother displayed how incredibly upset she was at the news of Mallett’s passing in a couple of social media posts.

Patrick Mahomes Top 5 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time is Actually Six

Patrick Mahomes has settled into his role as the new face of the NFL but that doesn't mean he considers himself one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Starting Alabama Quarterbacks Under Nick Saban

Here is every quarterback that has started for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban.

The 17 Quarterbacks That Have Played For the Bears During Aaron Rodgers' Career In Green Bay

It's fair to say that there has been a difference in quality at the most important position in sports for these two historic franchises.

More From 103.3 The GOAT