Reche Caldwell, who starred at Florida and was a second-round pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2002, was shot and killed in Florida Saturday, according to TMZ.
Caldwell was 41.
Per the report:
Caldwell’s mother tells us … Reche — real name Donald Caldwell — was getting ready to take his girlfriend out on a date when he went back inside his home to grab a jacket.
Reche’s GF says the former player was “ambushed” by a “couple of people” who jumped out of bushes trying to rob him.
We’re told Reche was shot in the leg and chest — and someone called 911.
Unfortunately, the injuries were so severe, Caldwell’s mother tells us Reche died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
“He was a good person who smiled all of the time,” Deborah Caldwell tells us.
“He tried to help everyone he could. He was the type of guy who would take his shirt off his back and give it to you.”
Caldwell was a member of the SEC champion Gators in 2000 and an honorable mention All-American the following season. He caught 141 passes for 2,088 yards and 18 touchdowns for Florida.
The Chargers drafted him 48th overall in 2002. He played four seasons for the Bolts before moving on to New England and Washington.
Caldwell made 152 catches for 1,851 yards and 11 TDs in his NFL career.
Per the San Diego Union Tribune:
In a January 2007 playoff game against New England, Caldwell recovered a fumble by Marlon McCree after an interception with 6:16 left and the Chargers leading 21-13. Less than two minutes later, Caldwell caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady and a subsequent 2-point conversion run by Kevin Faulk tied the game at 21.
Caldwell wasn’t finished burning his former team. After New England got the ball back, Caldwell beat Quentin Jammer for a 49-yard pass on third-and-10 to put the Patriots in position to kick the winning field goal with 1:10 remaining. He finished the game with seven catches for 80 yards.
Caldwell ran into trouble after his career. He was arrested for illegal gambling in January 2014 and for drug possession and intent to distribute in May 2014. He later was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and three years probation.
In December, he was accused of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and in January pleaded guilty. He was scheduled to be sentenced this month.