Madison Carter, the girlfriend of ex-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 beach in Miami and was unable to be rescued.
Later on Sunday she posted a lengthier open letter addressed 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.
She had shared a picture 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.’
‘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.
‘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. ‘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.
‘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.
‘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.’
‘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.
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 on Tuesday. ‘A tourist died in an apparent drowning offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,’ it read on Tuesday evening.
‘The victim is identified as 35-year old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in his tragic passing.’ Mallett was taken from a Florida beach to the hospital after first responders were called to the area at 2.12pm. He was pronounced dead at the Destin emergency room.
‘A group of individuals were reportedly struggling offshore when a man went under. ‘He was not breathing when lifeguards found and pulled him out. Tragically lifesaving measures weren’t successful.
The 35-year-old played in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. A former quarterback, Mallett backed up Tom Brady for two seasons in New England, and the future Hall of Famer paid tribute to his ex-teammate late Tuesday on Instagram.
‘We lost a great man. Thank you for you 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 on the Texans.
Beach Safety Division 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 that Mallett’s death was not caused by riptides in the area.
And Watt paid tribute on Twitter, writing: ‘Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother’. Heat exhaustion may have contributed to Mallett’s death, according to a beach official in Destin where the tragedy occurred.
‘There’s a multitude of things that can impact a swimmer,’ D’Agostino said to AL.com. ‘If you stop sweating you’re in trouble. ‘You need to be sweating, regardless of what it is that you’re doing, even if you’re just sitting there in the shade. Some of our visitors an overestimate their swim ability.’
Mallett played in the NFL from 2011 to 2017 after a college career with Michigan and Arkansas, and threw 62 touchdowns in two seasons with the Razorbacks. He returned to the latter state to coach at White Hall High School, taking up the role in February 2022.
