RIP

Kordell Stewart says the University of Colorado should honor Rashaan Salaam by erecting a statue of the Heisman winner right in front of the football stadium ... and it's not like they don't have the cash.

TMZ Sports spoke with the Buffs great who says Salaam was like his "little brother" -- and says he loved reminiscing about the good ol' days with the running back ... just like he did a few months ago.

But Stewart is passionate about making sure the University honors Salaam -- not just for what he did for the football program but for the "human being" who gave so much to the institution.

"The institution that has so much money ... we can take that chump change and put a statue up of Rashaan Salaam."

Michael Westbrook says he's devastated over the death of his U of Colorado teammate, Rashaan Salaam ... saying he's in "utter shock" and wishes he could've helped his friend.

Westbrook and Salaam DOMINATED as a WR, RB combo in college -- especially during their 11-1 season in 1994 (the year Rashaan won the Heisman).

Michael says he's been an emotional wreck since learning about Rashaan's death this week -- and says looking back, there may have been a warning sign.

Westbrook says Salaam missed an event at the Colorado Hall of Fame last month -- and teammates scrambled to get in contact with him. Teammates were puzzled at his absence but didn't think much of it.

"I think that maybe should've been a sign or something for us."

(Obviously, Westbrook couldn't have known he was in as bad of a place as he was)

Westbrook goes on to share his favorite memories with Rashaan ... from always having a smile on his face to giving his offensive line all the credit for his 2,000 yard season.

R.I.P.

3:17 PM PT -- Cops now suspect Salaam's death was suicide and say a note has been recovered at the scene.

Officials have still not released the cause of death.

Ex-Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam -- a superstar running back for the Colorado Buffaloes -- has died at age 42 ... his family confirmed.

Officials tell TMZ Sports ... Salaam's body was discovered in a parking lot at Eben G. Fine Park in Boulder, Colorado late Monday night.

We're told there were no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed.

Salaam won the Heisman in 1994 -- beating out guys like Steve McNair, Warren Sapp and Kerry Collins.

He was later drafted by the Bears in the 1st round of the 1995 Draft but only spent a few seasons in the NFL.

Salaam went on to run an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged kids.

Sheriff Newell Normand is firing back at the people who have criticized him for the way he's handling the Joe McKnight shooting investigation ... and just read OUT LOUD some of the hateful comments he and other leaders have received, including the n-word and the f-word.

Sheriff Normand says he and other leaders have received letters using various racial and homophobic slurs. He did not water down the language.

When asked why he decided to read the hateful language out loud, Normand says he wanted to show people how "crazy" things have gotten ... where people are getting harassed for doing their jobs.

The conversation turned racial and Normand says black people are more likely to be killed by black people in his community.

The rapper who helped people picture Tupac rollin' has died.

TMZ has learned Big Syke was found dead at his home in Hawthorne, CA late Monday night. Law enforcement sources tell us cops responded first to a call to the scene, and then the L.A. County Coroner arrived. No foul play is suspected.

Sources close to the situation tell us Syke -- real name Tyruss Himes -- is believed to have died from natural causes, although an autopsy has yet to be performed. We're told he had a history of heart issues and obesity.

Big Syke was a longtime friend of Tupac, and dropped verses on a bunch of his tracks, such as "All Eyez on Me," "Picture Me Rollin'" and "Check Out Time." He was also a member of Tupac's Thug Life group.

He was 48.

The man who shot and killed ex-NFL running back Joe McKnight in an apparent road rage incident has been arrested for manslaughter ... this according to police records.

Peter Vaughan, the veteran British actor who gained a new following with his recurring role on "Game of Thrones" ... died Tuesday morning.

Vaughan's agent says the actor died peacefully this morning around 10:30 surrounded by his family. Vaughan played Maester Aemon -- the former leader of the Night's Watch -- on the hit show from 2011 until 2015.

During his 75 years in show biz ... Vaughan starred in several British TV series and feature films. He co-starred with the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins, Clive Owens, and Frank Sinatra.

Vaughan was 93.

Margaret Whitton -- who played Indians owner Rachel Phelps in "Major League" -- has died at age 67.

She died peacefully at her home in Florida after a brief battle with cancer, this according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Whitton was GREAT in the 'Major League' movies -- playing an owner rooting against her team so she could relocate 'em from Cleveland to Miami.

Her most memorable scene ... when she crashed the Indians locker room when Lou Brown was complaining about the "bitch" who runs the team ... and responded, "You wanted to talk to the bitch?"

Awesome.

Besides "Major League," Whitton also appeared in "Little Monsters," "The Man Without a Face" and "9 1/2 Weeks" and more.

Florence Henderson secretly battled serious heart issues for 10 years before she died of a heart attack ... this according to her death certificate obtained by TMZ.

The 'Brady Bunch' star passed away at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica on Nov. 24th.

The death certificate notes she suffered from heart disease for 10 years.

5 years ago, Henderson was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.

The death certificate also notes Henderson was in the entertainment industry for 64 years ... legend.

R.I.P.

TMZ Sports has obtained a photo of Ronald Gasser moments after he shot Joe McKnight ... and the witness who took the photo says he WAS yelling at McKnight's body after the fatal shots were fired.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Dept. has dispatched at least 2 cars to patrol the home of the man who shot and killed Joe McKnight ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Brian Cushing is taking the death of his former USC teammate, Joe McKnight, very hard ... so says Brian's friend Zac Diles.

Zac -- who played on the Houston Texans with Cushing -- says he spoke with the linebacker hours after the news broke about McKnight ... and he's "very, very distraught."

Cushing has posted the following statement about McKnight:

"Joe I'll never forget the time we had together at SC. It was unbelievable to see you grow and work your ass off from a freshman until the day you were drafted."

Joe McKnight's CFL teammates are "in total disbelief" he was killed in a road rage incident ... with one member of the squad telling TMZ Sports McKnight was "the coolest dude ever" and would never get violent.

We spoke to Jeff Knox -- the starting middle linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL -- who tells us the team was shaken to the core when they heard the sad news.

"We have a team group chat, no one believed it at first. I was like NO WAY this could happen to Joe, the guy never looked for any trouble, just wanted to play football and get home to his kids."

Witnesses say McKnight was actually attempting to apologize to his gunman before he was killed ... and, according to Knox, that's exactly who he was.

Joe McKnight's USC family is heartbroken over the death of the running back.

We spoke with Tennessee Titans linebacker Jurrell Casey -- who played with McKnight in 2008 and 2009 -- who tells us, "He will definitely be missed."

"I want to send my regards to his friends and family," Casey says.

"He was always a great guy and fun to be around. He's always had encouraging words. We had some great laughs. He was such a good person to talk to."

Brian Cushing also issued an emotional statement -- "Joe I'll never forget the time we had together at SC. It was unbelievable to see you grow and work your ass off from a freshman until the day you were drafted."

"We competed every day in practice only wanting the best for each other. I'm absolutely crushed to hear the news today about you being gone. I'll never forget what you accomplished and how far you came as a player and a person. RIP Joe McKnight."

LenDale White didn't play with McKnight -- but McKnight's death is hitting him very hard.

"I'm so fu****g hurt right now. Tears jus keep flowing I love u lil bro. long live smokin Joe!!!!"

He adds, "I jus keep wishing this is a bad dream!!!"

Reggie Bush -- "RIP my brother Joe McKnight this one hurts bad."

Matt Leinart -- "News about Joe Mcknight is devastating. Just at a loss of words!"

Su'a Cravens -- "Rest In Peace to one of my all time favorite Trojans Joe McKnight ... Gone way too soon and I'll pray for your family! Sad man, just sad."

The man who shot and killed Joe McKnight is a 54-year-old white male named Ronald Gasser ... the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sports.

Law enforcement says Gasser is currently detained and being questioned about why he shot the 28-year-old football star.

At this point, he has NOT been formally arrested.

Cops say Gasser stayed at the scene of the shooting until cops arrived. Once law enforcement got to the scene, he handed over his gun without further incident.

Cops say they're investigating the shooting as a road rage incident -- and are trying to find out what happened in the moments before the former NY Jets running back was killed.

Story developing ...

2:40 PM PT -- Cops say they have detained a man they believe to be the shooter -- 54-year-old Ronald Gasser.

Cops say McKnight did NOT have a gun at the time of the shooting.

Emergency responders tried to administer CPR but to no avail.

Ex-NFL running back Joe McKnight was murdered in a road rage shooting in the New Orleans area ... law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.

The incident occurred at 2:43 PM. Family members identified the 28-year-old at the scene.

A witness told NOLA.com ... she saw McKnight trying to apologize to another man after some sort of traffic incident.

The witness says the man then pulled out a gun and shot McKnight -- and while standing over him screamed, "I told you not to f*** with me" ... then fired another shot into his body.

McKnight was a high school phenom -- considered the best running back in the country.

He played college ball at USC. He was drafted by the NY Jets in 2010.

In a statement to TMZ Sports, the Jets said, "Joe McKnight was a loving father and a genuine, kind-hearted person. It is sad when life is taken in what appears to be such a senseless act of violence. Joe you will be missed."

Joe was currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.

Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds issued a statement saying, "We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Joe McKnight."

"Losing a member of our Rider family this way is an unthinkable occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family, teammates and coaches."