Ryan Mallett's girlfriend pens emotional goodbye following drowning

Ryan Mallett’s girlfriend, Madison Carter, paid tribute to her late boyfriend in a lengthy, heartfelt message shared on Facebook on Sunday. Mallet, 35, died after drowning in Florida last week.

Mallett, the former NFL, Arkansas and Michigan quarterback was a few years into a fledgling coaching career and, evidently, building a life with Carter. Along with her message, she shared numerous photos of her and Mallett.

“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,” Carter said.

In her post, Carter included a video that appears to be from Snapchat. In it, Mallett is apparently helping an older man pump his gas, not even 15 minutes after Mallett had been picked up from a knee surgery.

And in his day-to-day life, he had become the head football coach at White Hall High School, located in a small town in Arkansas.

“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,” Carter said.

She continued: “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.”

Mallett was reportedly caught in a riptide off the coast of Florida

Mallett and a group of others were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Gulf Shore Drive when they began struggling, according to a tweet from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Mallett was seen going under the water at that point.

By the time he was rescued and brought to shore he was not breathing and live-saving attempts as resuscitation weren’t successful, according to the first responders.

Shortly after sharing this information, the sheriff’s account tweeted that they had identified the deceased as Mallett.

“We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones in his tragic passing,” the tweet said.