Former New England Patriots receiver Dave “Reche” Caldwell was shot and killed in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, his mother told TMZ and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed. Caldwell died at 41 years old.
Caldwell’s girlfriend told TMZ the former NFL receiver got jumped by a few people who jumped out of the bushes near his apartment in a robbery attempt. Caldwell’s mother told TMZ he died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Caldwell played in the NFL for six seasons while working with the then-San Diego Chargers, the Patriots and the Washington Redskins. He totaled 152 catches, 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns. He played in 71 games and started 29.
Caldwell was also an impressive college football player at the University of Florida, where he was a semi-finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to nation’s top receiver. His best college season came in his junior year when he had 65 catches for 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns.
