The girlfriend of Ryan Mallett has broken her silence following the tragic death of the former NFL quarterback last week.
Mallett, who spent his career playing for the likes of the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, was said to be among a group of people who began struggling in the water in the coastal town of Destin, according to Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
Witnesses at the scene said everyone else in the group of around 12 made it to safety, but Mallett went under the water offshore from Gulf Shore Drive.
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Lifeguards did manage to pull the footballer out, but attempts to save him were 'not successful', according to the sheriff's office.
Since the tragic death of the 35-year-old, many have paid tribute to the footballer, including The New England Patriots.
In a statement, they wrote: "The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of former quarterback Ryan Mallett.
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"Our thoughts are with the Mallett family, his former teammates and all who are mourning his loss."
The Baltimore Ravens also shared kind words about Mallett in the wake of his death, describing him as a 'tremendous person and a loyal team-mate'.
"He had an infectious personality, and throughout his time as a Raven, Ryan's charisma and joy for being around the team were consistently on display," the team added.
Now, Mallett's girlfriend Madison Carter, who was with the footballer in Florida when the tragic incident occurred last Tuesday (27 June), has paid tribute to her partner.
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Carter initially took to Facebook stories to thank everyone for their support, before writing a lengthier message in a Facebook post.
She wrote: "I trust that God has a plan for everything, but I don’t think I will never 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.
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"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 and Mallet only made their relationship official on 1 June, just a few weeks before the tragedy took place.
Callum Jones