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.
She posted a picture of the pair holding hands on Facebook and wrote the caption: ‘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.’
The couple had only confirmed their relationship on Facebook on June 1.
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Ryan Mallett’s girlfriend has spoken out after his tragic death at a Florida beach this week
Mallett, 35, drowned after getting into difficulty while vacationing with Madison Carter
Former football player Mallett had only gone public with his relationship with Carter 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.
‘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 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.
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.
Mallett was Tom Brady’s backup at the New England Patriots during his NFL career
And the legendary passer paid tribute to his ex-teammate late on Tuesday night
JJ Watt took to Twitter to honor his former teammate, who has passed away at the age of 35
‘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.
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.
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.
‘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.