Fans And Friends Share Their Thoughts Following The Death Of Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin

Many fans shared their shock online after learning about the death of former Rob & Big star Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin. The former bodyguard for pro skater Rob Dyrdek passed away at the age of 45, reportedly due to a heart attack, and leaves behind his wife Shannon and their 9-year-old daughter. MTV released a statement reacting to the news according to People magazine:

“MTV is deeply saddened to learn the news of Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin’s passing,” MTV said in a statement, obtained by PEOPLE. “He was a longtime and beloved member of the MTV family and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.”

Elsewhere, friends and associates shared their thoughts and grief over the passing of the lovable reality star.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BT5EcLygBIt/

https://twitter.com/madeintyo/status/862103944318734336

https://twitter.com/JohnGivez/status/862107645368352772

https://twitter.com/TheAaronRose/status/862105335468830721

Dyrdek has not commented on Boykin’s passing, with people pointing out that the two had a slight falling out following the end of the show:

“I had been a pro skateboarder for years, so me transitioning to mainstream fame was relatively smooth, right, where for him, the idea that man he was like working security two years earlier and now he’s on television, it was a much different dynamic. But I think we both struggled with I didn’t want to be known as like Rob from Rob & Big… and I think he didn’t want to be known for like the sidekick. So that created a lot of that tension between me and him…

“I think it was more the fundamental struggle of wanting to not be so connected to each other,” Dyrdek added. “Ultimately, after we had a big blowout creatively over an idea … things were so tense at certain times — it’s funny now that I think about it — but we literally would film some of the funniest things that we have ever done and would be losing it and then walk away and not talk to each other. It was super, super bizarre.”

It’s still hard to think he wouldn’t have some fond memories of his former television pal. Also, takes time to truly register a sudden death like this one.

UPDATE:

(Via People)