EX-NFL Wide Receiver Reche Caldwell Shot & Killed In Tampa

The sports world has endured many deaths this year and we are just halfway through it. We can only hope that the rest of the year does get a whole lot better. Other than Kobe Bryant’s death via helicopter, the majority of the deaths have been due to natural causes. The one I will discuss today was not by natural causes at all as former NFL Wide Receiver, Reche, Caldwell, was shot and killed in Tampa, Florida on Saturday night.

Caldwell was getting ready to go on a date with his girlfriend. He forgot his jacket and went back to the house when he was ambushed by a couple of robbers, who shot him in the leg and chest. Reche died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. He was 41 years old. The Tampa Police have not yet commented on the situation.

Reche Caldwell began his career with the then-San Diego Chargers, where he was a 2nd round draft pick in 2002. He played four years for the Bolts, accumulating 950 yards receiving and seven TDs with the team. After his time in San Diego, Caldwell moved on to play with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for 0ne year. It was his best year as a pro as he grabbed 61 balls for 760 yards and four TDs. Playing in a Tom Brady-led offense will make most wide receivers look good. He finished up his NFL career with one season in Washington, where he caught 15 passes for 141 yards and no TDs. He did play in just eight games that year.

After he left the NFL, Reche did have some legal troubles as he was arrested in 2014 on drug charges. Caldwell was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison with three years probation. At the time of his drug arrest, he was also awaiting trial on charges of running an illegal gambling ring, and later on this month, Caldwell was to be sentenced for pleading guilty of a health fraud charge. Still, he was loved by many and patriots’ WR Wes Welker tweeted out that “his smile and attitude were contagious!”

Caldwell started out as a standout pitcher in high school and was at one time drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. Many felt that had he stayed with the sport, he could have had a long career in the big leagues. In college, he played wide receiver at the University of Florida for three years. Caldwell racked up 2088 yards and 18 TDs in three years at the school, which included posting 1059 yards and 10 TDs in his final season. R.I.P Reche Caldwell.

Some Info Gleaned From Boston.com. Cindy Boren (Washington Post) did the article.