UPDATED: Kofi Kingston, Byron Saxton, More Share Tributes to Shad Gaspard (Video)

UPDATE: WWE announcer Byron Saxton has also shared his own tribute today for the late Shad Gaspard, which you can see below. Saxton wrote, “The first time I went on the road with @WWE, @Shadbeast welcomed me with his trademark smile. Our shared Haitian background gave us an immediate connection point and from there he never ceased to greet me like family. You’re in God’s hands now Shad but you will always be missed.”

The first time I went on the road with @WWE, @Shadbeast welcomed me with his trademark smile. Our shared Haitian background gave us an immediate connection point and from there he never ceased to greet me like family. You’re in God’s hands now Shad but you will always be missed. pic.twitter.com/sXn2cZm7A9

— Byron Saxton (@ByronSaxton) May 21, 2020

The Rich Eisen Show interviewed actor Nick Turturro today, who shared moving tribute for Gaspard today. Turturro spoke about his friendship with Gaspard and how close they were. You can check out that video below.

ORIGINAL: As noted, former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard passed away this week after his body was swept away by a riptide. His body was discovered earlier yesterday (May 20). Kofi Kingston wrote a moving tribute for Gaspard on his Instagram account earlier today, which you can see below.

The Instagram post is accompanied by a video showing Kofi Kingston partying with Shad Gaspard and Xavier Woods onstage during a performance at Walemania.

Shad…I’ve struggled all day to find the words. Partially because a piece of me feels that if I stay in denial and I don’t acknowledge it, then it won’t be true. But alas, we have lost an amazing father, husband, son, loyal friend, and a brother in every sense of the word.

Instead of focusing on the “why” and the “how”, I’m choosing to honor Shad by focusing on the way he made me feel, the ways he made me laugh, and the many different ways in which he put a smile on my face.

This video and series of photos is from Walemania last year. As I stood there taking in the amazing energy of that crowd, I suddenly found myself rising rapidly into the air. I didn’t even have to look; I knew it was Shad unexpectedly hoisting me up, as he often did, this time onto his shoulders. My level of hype instantly increased tenfold. Shad was so genuinely excited for me. It was almost as if he transferred that energy through me. It was easily the pinnacle of a truly magical night. I won’t ever forget that moment, as it summed up what kind of person Shad was: one who always strived to lift his brother up.

I’ll never forget his heart and constant enthusiasm, his honesty, and his sheer authenticity as a human being. Rest in paradise, my brother. Your selflessness will always be remembered. Thoughts, prayers and positive vibes to the Gaspard and Chittick family. #ripshad #ripshadgaspard

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Shad… I’ve struggled all day to find the words. Partially because a piece of me feels that if I stay in denial and I don’t acknowledge it, then it won’t be true. But alas, we have lost an amazing father, husband, son, loyal friend, and a brother in every sense of the word. • Instead of focusing on the “why” and the “how”, I’m choosing to honor Shad by focusing on the way he made me feel, the ways he made me laugh, and the many different ways in which he put a smile on my face. • This video and series of photos is from Walemania last year. As I stood there taking in the amazing energy of that crowd, I suddenly found myself rising rapidly into the air. I didn’t even have to look; I knew it was Shad unexpectedly hoisting me up, as he often did, this time onto his shoulders. My level of hype instantly increased tenfold. Shad was so genuinely excited for me. It was almost as if he transferred that energy through me. It was easily the pinnacle of a truly magical night. I won’t ever forget that moment, as it summed up what kind of person Shad was: one who always strived to lift his brother up. • I’ll never forget his heart and constant enthusiasm, his honesty, and his sheer authenticity as a human being. • Rest in paradise, my brother. Your selflessness will always be remembered. Thoughts, prayers and positive vibes to the Gaspard and Chittick family. ——— #ripshad #ripshadgaspard

A post shared by Kofi (@thetruekofi) on May 21, 2020 at 6:45am PDT