Reche Caldwell, who spent six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver, died on Saturday, resulting from gunshot wounds. He was 41.
According to TMZ, Caldwell’s mother said that Reche, whose real name is Donald, was ambushed by two people outside his home. Caldwell and his girlfriend were preparing to go on a date, according to his mother, when he went back inside his home to grab a jacket. When he stepped back out of his home, two people jumped out of the bushes. Caldwell was shot in the leg and the chest and died in the ambulance as it was taking him to the hospital.
To this point, no arrests have been made.
Caldwell was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, who were still playing in San Diego at the time. Caldwell spent four seasons catching passes from then-Chargers quarterback Drew Brees. In 2006, he played for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
In that 2006 season, Caldwell had 61 catches for 760 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots visited the Chargers in San Diego in the 2006 AFC Divisional round. Caldwell recovered a fumbled interception late in the fourth quarter and later scored a touchdown that led to a 24-21 Patriots win. He spent the 2007 season with the Washington Redskins.
Before being drafted by the Chargers in 2002, Caldwell played for Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators. Caldwell was a three-year letterman at Florida, playing from 1998 until 2001. Caldwell caught 141 passes for 2,088 and 18 touchdowns in those three seasons.
