Ryan Mallett's girlfriend posts heartbreaking tribute to late QB: 'I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you'

Bodycam footage released Thursday shows the beach conditions in Destin, Florida at the time that former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett tragically died in an apparent drowning accident on Tuesday. (Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office)

Madison Carter, the girlfriend of the late former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett who drowned in waters off the coast near Florida last week, posted a touching tribute to him on Facebook Sunday.

Carter was with Mallett in Destin, Florida, when he and a few others were stuck on a sandbar and tried to swim back. Mallett went under and was pulled out of the water by lifeguards, authorities said. Once back on the shore, lifeguards tried to resuscitate him but to no avail. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

"How do I even find the words. I prayed for you for 27 years, and we finally found each other," Carter wrote on Facebook. "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.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ryan Mallett, #15 of the Houston Texans, points to the crowd as he walks off the field after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

"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