Madison Carter, the girlfriend of former NFL star Ryan Mallett, who tragically drowned on Tuesday, has spoken out for the first time since his death.
Carter was on vacation with Mallett, 35, when he got into trouble swimming at a Miami beach and was unable to be rescued.
She had shared a photo of the pair holding hands on Facebook and wrote: ‘I want to thank everyone for the calls, texts, messages, comments etc. Not a single one has gone unnoticed and I am slowly working on answering them. I appreciate you all more than you know.’
Later on Sunday, she posted a longer open letter to Mallett on Facebook, which read: ‘Ryan Michael Mallett. How do I even find the words. I prayed for you for 27 years and we finally found each other.
‘I trust that God has a plan for everything, but I don’t think I’ll ever understand why it happened. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you and I hope you know how hard I tried.
Madison Carter, the girlfriend of Ryan Mallett – the former NFL star who tragically drowned last Tuesday – has posted a heartbreaking tribute to him on her Facebook account
Carter, 27, said she will never be able to understand how Mallett lost her life last week
Carter had also sent a message thanking people for contacting them with offers of support
‘Everyone knows how talented, dedicated and passionate you were about the game of football. Those of us who were lucky enough to know your heart know that it was even bigger than your bigger personality and stature.
‘Nothing was ever about you, it was always about others. Several times I heard you say “there are so many good people in this world” and that statement alone shows what kind of person you were. Always looking for the good.
‘I can never thank you enough for loving me the way you did. In such a short time you showed me the love I’ve been praying for all my life. You loved me hard and unapologetically.
‘We planned our future. We were just getting started. I’m sure some people think we’re crazy for feeling the way we did about each other in such a short amount of time. I also thought we were crazy at first. But you helped me understand that when two souls connect like ours did, love has no fixed timeline.
‘Words cannot describe how much I miss you. I hope you know how loved you are. By myself, your amazing family, your friends, your teammates, your students and countless others. I don’t know how I’m ever going to get past this.
‘But I am so honored to love you and be loved by you. You changed my life and I am forever grateful for the time we had. No time would ever have been enough. I love you, Ryan. Please take care of us. I can’t wait to see you again.’
The couple had only confirmed their relationship on Facebook on June 1.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mallett’s death in a statement Tuesday.
Carter wrote in her letter to Mallett that she tried to save him: ‘I hope you know how hard I tried’
Carter shared a series of photos from her time with Mallett along with her tribute to him
Mallett, 35, drowned after getting into trouble while on holiday with boyfriend Carter
Former football player Mallett had only gone public with her relationship with Carter on June 1
“A tourist died in an apparent drowning off Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,” it read Tuesday night.
‘A group of people were reportedly fighting offshore when one man went under.
“He was not breathing when lifeguards found and pulled him out. Tragically, life-saving measures were not successful.
‘The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Ryan Mallett from Arkansas. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones on his tragic passing.’
Mallett was taken from a beach in Florida to the hospital after first responders were called to the area at 14.12. He was pronounced dead at the emergency room in Destin.
The 35-year-old played in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
ONE former quarterback, Mallett backed up Tom Brady for two seasons in New England, and the future Hall of Famer paid tribute to his former teammate late Tuesday on Instagram.
‘We lost a great man. Thank you for everything Ryan,’ he wrote. “Praying for the Mallett family and all their loved ones tonight.”
In addition to playing with Brady, the former Razorback also shared a locker room for two seasons with JJ Watt while both players were with the Texans.
And Watt paid tribute on Twitter, writing: ‘Awful news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest in peace bro’.
Mallett was Tom Brady’s backup with the New England Patriots during his NFL career
And the legendary passer paid tribute to his former teammate late on Tuesday night
JJ Watt took to Twitter to pay tribute to his former teammate, who has passed away at the age of 35
Heat exhaustion may have contributed to Mallett’s death, according to a beach official in Destin, where the tragedy occurred.
Beach Safety Department Chief Joe D’Agostino made the comments while warning swimmers to be aware of how hot weather can be a danger. It comes after officials also said Mallett’s death was not caused by rip tides in the area.
“There’s a ton of things that can affect a swimmer,” D’Agostino told AL.com. ‘If you stop sweating, you’re in trouble.
‘You have to sweat no matter what you’re doing, even if you’re just sitting there in the shade. Some of our visitors overestimate their swimming ability.’
Mallett played in the NFL from 2011 to 2017 after a college career with Michigan and Arkansas, throwing for 62 touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks.
He returned to the latter state to coach at White Hall High School, assuming the role in February 2022.