Former Florida Gators and NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell was shot and killed Saturday in Tampa, according to reports.
Caldwell’s mother told TMZ Sports that her son was fatally shot during an attempted robbery.
Additionally, ESPN reporter Jenna Laine, who covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, confirmed with police that the 41-year-old former second-round draft pick had been killed.
More on the death of Donald "Reche" Caldwell, who spent seven seasons in the NFL, and was killed in his hometown of Tampa, Florida, Saturday night, per @jennalaineespn.https://t.co/e0kjJaBXSx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2020
Caldwell, who grew up in the Tampa area, played for the Steve Spurrier-coached Gators from 1998 to 2001, before going on to spend six seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins.
He also helped lead the Gators to an SEC championship in 2000. Caldwell was then selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers, where he played for three seasons, before signing with the New England Patriots in 2006.
He ended up being the Patriots’ leading receiver that year, with 760 yards, but was released at the end of the 2007 preseason.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Patriot Reche Caldwell.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/mxBtkTXTKD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 7, 2020
We are deeply saddened by the loss of former Gator WR Reche Caldwell.
Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. pic.twitter.com/J86KUj7yEw
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) June 7, 2020
Reche Caldwell caught 152 passes for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in his NFL career.
No other information is available at this time.