SHARP SHOOTER
Shad Gaspard was the kind of person ‘who always strived to lift his brother up.’ Gaspard, who drowned in May but ensured his son survived, will remain in our hearts
I’ll never forget his heart and constant enthusiasm ... and his sheer authenticity.
Kofi Kingston, on Shad Gaspard
Last month, the world lost a wonderful person by the name of Shad Gaspard.
Gaspard, 39, a friend and a former WWE superstar, was swimming with his son at a beach, when he tragically drowned in a dangerous rip tide. Shad’s son was rescued, but unfortunately Shad was not.
However, the fact that Shad told the lifeguard to save his son first tells you everything you need to know about the kind of person Shad was.
When I first heard that Shad had disappeared, I was so hopeful, like the rest of the world, that Shad would return safe and sound. I was hoping that it was all just a big misunderstanding. I felt devastated hearing the official news of his passing, as Shad was a huge part of our WWE family and together we have deeply mourned the loss of him over the last week.
Myself, my husband TJ, and my cousin Harry Smith (The Hart Dynasty) had worked for several years with Shad in WWE feuding with Cryme Tyme, the team Shad and his partner JTG were in. We had so much fun working against him and creating magical memories in the ring together. We didn’t just tell stories that made our audience smile, but we also grew together as performers, always wanting to improve our matches together every single night.
TJ Wilson said, “I’ve been trying to find the words. I feel devastated by the passing of Shad, someone who I had wrestled hundreds of matches with.
“Shad and I came from different backgrounds but he taught me a lot about how to wrestle a person of his size and power. He was truly a beast in the ring. Shad pushed me to be better, and to always tell the ‘best story’ in our matches. I look back on The Hart Dynasty’s rivalry with Cryme Tyme with a grateful heart because we all grew so much doing what we loved together.
“Thank you, Shad, for helping me in my career to be my best and for trusting me and believing in me. I wish I had a chance to tell you this in person. You left this world a true hero and a person I’ll never forget.”
WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston shared his love for Shad as well: “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 honour 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.
“At Walemania [a party and hip hop concert during WrestleMania weekend featuring recording artist Wale] 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.”
I’m still trying to process the fact that we will never see our friend again. All I keep hearing from everyone who knew Shad was how much he made everyone smile, how big his hugs were, and how huge his heart was.
Shad left this world a hero to his son, family, friends, and fans around the world