A service for former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett took place back in his native Arkansas this afternoon.
The celebration of life took place at the Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville – the same city where Mallett played his college football.
After the service opened, some of his relatives – including his sister Lauren – sang in his honor before people came up to speak.
Mallett’s high school coach Scott Surratt was the first to speak, followed by his agent J.R. Carroll.
The funeral was well attended by a number of former coaches and teammates of Mallett’s throughout his life.
A celebration of life for former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett took place on Thursday
The service was held in Fayetteville, Arkansas as coaches, family, and teammates gathered
Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter, KNWA reported. The ex-player went Facebook official with Carter less than a month ago, on June 1
Mallett was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter in Destin, Florida when he drowned in the Gulf of Mexico.
Officials said that his death was not caused by riptides, with one suggesting that heat exhaustion may have played a role.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mallett’s death in a statement last Tuesday.
‘A tourist died in an apparent drowning offshore of Gulf Shore Drive in Destin,’ it read.
‘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.
‘There’s a multitude of things that can impact a swimmer,’ Destin Beach Safety Division Chief Joe 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.’
Deltaplex News later reported that Mallett was with up to 12 people when he got caught in a riptide.
Recent reports show that there have been extremely dangerous conditions along the Gulf Coast, with CNN reporting 11 people have died in rip currents in under two weeks.
The 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.’
The ex-quarterback played alongside Tom Brady with New England Patriots from 2011-2013
And the legendary passer paid tribute to his ex-teammate late on Tuesday night
The 35-year-old played in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens and was on vacation with his girlfriend Madison Carter.
Mallet was drafted by New England, where he backed up Tom Brady for two seasons. The future Hall of Famer paid tribute to his ex-teammate 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.’
Carter, Mallett’s girlfriend posted an emotional message to Facebook with an image of the pair holding hands.
In a lengthy post on Sunday, she penned an open letter to him, beginning, ‘Ryan Michael Mallett. How do I even find the words. I prayed for you for 27 years, and we finally found each other.
‘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.
‘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 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.
Madison Carter, the girlfriend of Ryan Mallett – the ex-NFL star who tragically drowned last Tuesday – has posted a heartbreaking tribute to him on her Facebook account
Carter, 27, said that she will never be able to understand how Mallett lost his life last week
Carter had also posted a message thanking people for reaching out with offers of support
‘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.’
A number of NFL players and teams that played with and against Mallett offered their thoughts and condolences to his family.
Across his career, Mallett played in 21 games, started in 8 and tossed for 1,835 yards and nine touchdowns.
