Former NFL quarterback, Ryan Mallett, tragically passed away while on vacation in Destin, Florida from a drowning accident. Mallett and some of his friends were stuck on a sandbar and tried swimming back to shore before Mallett went underwater. He was pulled out by lifeguards and was taken to the nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. His girlfriend, Madison Carter, posted a heartbreaking tribute to Mallett on Facebook after his tragic death.

“How do I even find the words. I prayed for you for 27 years, and we finally found each other,” she wrote on Facebook. “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.” She continued by saying, “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.” She ended her heartbreaking post saying, “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.”

Mallett played football at Arkansas where he was a standout player, landing him a spot on the New England Patriots in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played with the Patriots until 2014 when he joined the Houston Texans. Mallett stepped away from the NFL in 2018 and became a football coach for White Hall High School in Arkansas.