Ryan Mallett, the Arkansas Razorback quarterback, died at age 35 on June 27 after a swimming incident in Destin, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. And he was celebrated this past Thursday in Arkansas' Central United Methodist Church, at his funeral. "The celebration of life brought together generations of football fans. There was Harold Horton, a UA team captain from the early days of Coach Frank Broyles, and Ken Hatfield, a standout on the 1964 national championship team and also a Razorback coach, as well as current Coach Sam Pittman," reports Arkansas Online. "Ryan had a heart as big as Texas that was full of Arkansas," Scott Surratt, Mallett's high school coach, said. "Now he's in the best place ever." Read on to hear what was said about the QB who passed away so young.
"Everyone here today is here because Ryan gave a piece of himself to them and he loved them and everyone here today is here as an outward expression to you that although they may not get to tell you, they are here to let you know they unconditionally loved your son," Mallett's agent and long-time friend JR Carroll said.
Scott Surratt, Mallett's high school coach, spoke, according to Fox 16. "We'd always have an old ball and he'd throw it in the parking lot, throw it like 80 yards into the parking lot and coach Norton was our head coach. He got mad. 'Why we do that?' I said, 'Look at what they're watching.' They were watching Big Tex, Shooter Ryan Mallett," Surratt said. "That's intimidation."
"If you look in Ryan's life and all the goals he had in life, he accomplished almost every one of them, before he reached the age of 35," said Pastor Paul Young. "He had the ability to influence and to mentor young people. He fathered them. They looked up to him as a father figure."
His girlfriend Madison Carter, a medical student at Arkansas State, paid tribute to Mallett on social media last week. "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," she wrote. "Words cannot convey how badly I miss you," she continued. "I hope you know how loved you are. 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."
"Ryan lived each day to the fullest. Everyone knew he was a big-hearted, fun-loving guy, who enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the beach, and of course, playing sports. But the thing closest to his heart was being with family and friends competing in some of his favorite activities: river trips, corn hole tournaments, trash-talking his cousins (and Aunt Kay), playing golf, and filling his days with laughter and love," said his obituary.
Hunter Yurachek, the Arkansas athletic director, said the university "lost an incredibly special person." "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates of Ryan Mallett," Yurachek posted on Twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many people whose lives he touched," New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement posted by the team on Twitter. "Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett," fellow player JJ Watt posted on Twitter. "Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother."
