Mavado, Wayne Marshall And Other Dancehall Stars Pay Tribute To Late Reggae Boy Luton Shelton
Members of Jamaica’s entertainment industry continue to pay tribute, as they join the football fraternity in mourning the loss of legendary Reggae Boy Luton Shelton.
The 35-year-old former Sheffield United and Jamaica striker was afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor neurone disease which was diagnosed in 2018, after he retired from the game. He was found unresponsive at home on Friday.
Luton played 25 times for the Sheffield between 2007 and 2008 and had the distinction of being Jamaica’s record all-time goalscorer.
Shelton made his international debut for Jamaica in 2004, becoming the only man in the world to score four goals on his début, and earned 75 caps down the line, bagging a record 35 goals and playing at three CONCACAF Gold Cups.
Shelton who is one of Jamaica’s most successful footballers, represented Wolmer’s Boys School before moving on to Harbour View. He made his mark overseas playing for Sheffield United in England, Helsinborg in Sweden; United in England; Karabukspor in Turkey; Valerenga and Karabukspor in Norway; and Volga Nizhny Novgorod in Russia.
Since Friday, tributes have been pouring in from members of the entertainment sector, many of whom were huge fans of the striker.
Wayne Marshall, in his tribute, shared a photo himself doing a rendition of his song Glory To God for the striker at the national stadium in 2018.
“You impacted us in way that will never be forgotten. You were a proud family man and a world class athlete. Jamaica’s leading goal scorer of all time. You played with heart and you lived with heart. To know you was to love you. We going miss you and as I told you, I will always be there for your family. Rest well Luton #lutonshelton #ls21 @ls___21,” the singer captioned the video.
Mavado also posted a clip of Shelton scoring from a free kick during a game against the United States at the national stadium which he captioned: “Rest well Balla star a star even when we not around they will never forget us.🙏🏿🔥🚀💯 @ls___21.”
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Music producer Skatta Burrell also expressed his condolences on the video of Marshall singing for the striker, which was also posted by the Jamaica Star tabloid.
“35yrs Young gone forever too soon. Rest well Bro,” Skatta wrote.
Come Fi Di Knockaz artiste Press Kay also posted a long-time video of herself and Luton vibing in a motor car as part of her tribute.
“Rest easy my fam. You fought hard. I’m happy we got to speak and hold a joy. To know you is to really respect you because you gave your all to make your friends happy inna real life‼ I know we all have a guardian angel now! Jamaica might have lost a legend but Legends never die you will forever be in our hearts…,” she wrote.
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Artistes such as Cham, Anthony B, Nesbeth, Beenie Man, Kiprich, and Serani were among the other artistes expressing condolences.
Sheffield United has also expressed regret at Luton’s passing, noting on its Instagram page that: “Sheffield United is saddened to hear reports in the Caribbean about the passing of our former striker, Luton Shelton, aged just 35. RIP, Luton. ❤”
However, over on the Jamaica Football Federation’s Instagram page, football fans are hurling condemnation at that organisation for failing to post photos acknowledging the footballer’s death or making tributes in his honour.
“NOTHING ABOUT JAMAICAS LEADING GOAL SCORER SHELTON? , But uno jump fi post up Maridonna who naave ntn fi do with Jamaica ???, uno want a detox cleanse,” troy_ville declared.
“Look like unu forget unu password to log in? Such a disgrace,” proudjamaicans noted while decimaton admonished: “Still a wait fi see yuh recognize one a yuh star balla dem dead enuh.”
Another football fan 1abpow added: “Whose running this page?? How’s it we have yet to see any respect to Luton Shelton 🤦🏾♂️ this is just disgraceful to see the leading goal scorer for the country gets no recognition.”