Former NFL and University of Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett died at the age of 35 in Destin, Florida, in a drowning accident on June 27. His girlfriend Madison Carter has now taken to social media to pay a heartbreaking tribute to him.
“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 will ever understand why this happened. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you, and I hope you know how hard I tried,” Madison wrote. “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 larger-than-life personality and stature. Nothing was ever about you, it was always about others. Multiple 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.”
Ryan worked at the White Hall School District in Arkansas. The school confirmed his death in a Facebook post after the incident.
{{/usCountry}}Ryan worked at the White Hall School District in Arkansas. The school confirmed his death in a Facebook post after the incident.
{{/usCountry}}“I can never thank you enough for loving me the way that you did. In such a short time, you showed me the love I have prayed for my entire life. You loved me fiercely and unapologetically. We were planning our future. We were just getting started. I’m sure some think we’re crazy for feeling the way we did about each other in such a short time. I thought we were crazy at first too. But you helped me understand that when two souls connect the way ours did, love has no set timeline,” Madison said.
She added, “Words cannot convey how badly 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’ll ever get past this. But I’m so honored to love you and be loved by you. You changed my life, and I’m forever grateful for the time we had. No amount of time would have ever been enough. I love you, Ryan. Please watch over us. I can’t wait to see you again.”
Ryan was drafted out of the University of Arkansas by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2015 through 2017. Before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2014, Ryan played sparingly as a backup to Tom Brady. He was seen in as many as eight games over three seasons for the Ravens.