Ryan Mallett has long been saddled with questions about his character, and his behavior during Thursday’s Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts did no favors to his reputation.
Mallett was knocked out of the game for the Houston Texans after taking a hit from Indianapolis’ Sio Moore in the second quarter. Brian Hoyer entered the game for him and led the team to a field goal for its first points of the game. That was after Mallett failed to deliver any points on his first three drives (to be fair, he moved the team well in the opening drive but Arian Foster’s inability to handle a pass led to an interception).
Hoyer then followed with a Hail Mary touchdown before halftime, and then he led three consecutive scoring drives in the second half that gave the Texans 17 points. Ultimately Houston came up short in the game, but Hoyer did much better than Mallett.
One person who didn’t seem too thrilled about the team’s comeback, however, was Mallett, who appeared to display negative body language and a poor attitude after being benched.
#Texans Ryan Mallett snapped his helmet off and walked off during last drive. Went and sat on bench. Clearly upset. pic.twitter.com/jo2Ts5EX1S
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 9, 2015
Video appeared to show him upset about not being let back in the game:
#Texans Bill O'Brien better hope Hoyer hold it together second half. If he doesn't, how does he go back to Mallett? https://t.co/54PavowDdX
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 9, 2015
He even began walking towards the locker room just before the Hail Mary that ended the first half:
Mallett just casually walking off the field before the hail mary pic.twitter.com/LbrV9NuKEU
— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@Vinsanity275) October 9, 2015
CBS cameras did show Mallett appearing to celebrate after the touchdown, but it’s clear he wanted off the sidelines early.
His body language continued to be negative:
Mallett still looks pissed off. pic.twitter.com/PxbLLukFQO
— Robert Littal (@BSO) October 9, 2015
Regardless of whether or not you’re in the game or playing well, part of being a team player is celebrating the success of the team and trying to help everyone do their best. Sitting in the corner and pouting is not what a leader does. After seeing all of this, Mallett missing practice the day after being named second string in training camp looks even fishier now.
