Mother of Alabama QB Speaks on Tragic Loss of Twin Sister: ‘Never Truly Be Whole Again’
In an emotional and heartfelt interview this week, the mother of Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, Malik Thompson, opened up about a devastating tragedy that changed her family forever. Her daughter, Mariah, Malik’s twin sister, passed away unexpectedly last year—an unimaginable loss that continues to cast a shadow over their lives.
Sitting in her Birmingham home, surrounded by photographs and keepsakes of her daughter, Tonya Thompson recalled the day that shattered their world.
“It was the worst phone call of my life,” Tonya said, holding back tears. “You think your children will grow old together. You don’t ever imagine having to bury one of your babies—especially when they shared everything, even a heartbeat.”
Mariah Thompson died at the age of 19 due to complications from an undiagnosed heart condition. The news came just weeks before Malik was set to begin his first season as Alabama’s starting quarterback—a moment that was supposed to be the culmination of a dream shared by the entire family.
“They were inseparable,” Tonya said. “From the moment they were born, they had this bond that no one could touch. She was his biggest cheerleader, always in the stands, always texting him before and after every game. When she passed… part of him went with her.”
Malik has rarely spoken publicly about his sister’s death. On the field, he remains stoic—focused, intense, driven. But those closest to him know the pain hasn’t gone away. His mother says football became his refuge, a way to keep moving forward even when it felt impossible.
“He plays for her,” Tonya explained. “Every touchdown, every yard he gains—it’s for Mariah. He writes her initials on his wrist tape before every game. That’s how he keeps her close.”
Mariah had dreams of becoming a sports journalist and had started college with a major in communications. She often practiced reporting on her brother’s games, pretending to be on the sidelines with a microphone in hand. Tonya says they used to laugh about how Mariah would one day interview Malik on ESPN after a national championship win.
“She had this spark,” Tonya said with a smile. “So full of life, so smart. She would’ve been amazing in whatever she chose. I think that’s part of what makes it so hard—we lost not just her, but everything she could’ve been.”
Tonya’s voice faltered as she tried to describe what life has been like since Mariah’s passing.
“There’s no fixing this,” she said softly. “There’s no healing in the way people think. You just learn to carry the weight. I’ll never truly be whole again.”
The family has started a foundation in Mariah’s name to raise awareness about heart conditions in young athletes and students. The Mariah Grace Foundation partners with local schools and clinics to offer free screenings and education programs aimed at prevention and early detection.
“If we can save even one life—just one—then her life and her death won’t be in vain,” Tonya said.
Malik, now entering his junior season, has emerged as a leader not only on the team but in the community. Teammates describe him as quiet but fiercely dedicated, often the first one in the locker room and the last to leave the field. Coach Nick Saban recently spoke about Malik’s resilience, calling him “one of the most mature and composed young men I’ve ever coached.”
“There’s a strength in him that can’t be taught,” Saban said. “He’s playing with something bigger than himself. That’s hard to do—but it’s what separates great athletes from great people.”
As for Tonya, she says every game is both a joy and a sorrow.
“I watch him and I’m proud—so proud—but there’s always that empty seat next to me where Mariah should be,” she said. “She would’ve been wearing her custom jersey, screaming louder than anyone. She would’ve been telling everyone, ‘That’s my brother!’”
With each passing season, the pain remains—but so does the love, and the memory of a young woman who left too soon.
“She’s still with us,” Tonya said. “In every game, every step Malik takes. I see her in him. And I know he’s doing all this with her in his heart.”
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