Former Patriots Wide Receiver, Reche Caldwell, Shot and Killed in Tampa Bay Saturday Night

Former Patriots Wide Receiver, Reche Caldwell, Shot and Killed in Tampa Bay Saturday Night

Donald “Reche” Caldwell was shot and killed in what is assumed to be a robbery attempt in Tampa Bay last Saturday. 

According to his mother, Caldwell was getting ready to go out with his girlfriend, and he returned home to get a jacket. Caldwell’s girlfriend remarks that the wide receiver was “ambushed” by multiple men jumping out of the bushes in the attempted robbery. Caldwell was shot in the chest and leg and died on his way to the hospital according to his mother. Caldwell was 41 years old. 

Police have confirmed that there was a homicide, but no arrests have been made yet.

Reche Caldwell was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. At Jefferson High School in Tampa, Caldwell played three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. While he wasn’t a standout in basketball, Caldwell was incredibly proficient in baseball and football. 

While he started as a tailback freshman year, Reche played quarterback in his final three years of high school. In his high school career, Reche recorded 6,936 yards and 77 touchdowns. 

Caldwell also succeeded in baseball, setting numerous school records such as batting average (.379), doubles (25), triples (6), steals (67), and runs (76). Reche Caldwell was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1998 MLB Draft but decided to go on to play college football.

Reche Caldwell played at the University of Florida for 3 years before he was drafted. Caldwell’s most notable season came in his junior year, 2001. Caldwell recorded 65 receptions, 1,059 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Caldwell made Second-Team All-SEC and would forego his senior year for the NFL Draft. 

Caldwell was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2002 Draft with the fourty-eighth overall pick. Caldwell’s first two seasons with San Diego were mediocre with 30 catches for 288 yards. 

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Caldwell started his 2004 season off with 3 touchdowns in 5 games, but his success was short-lived, as he suffered an ACL tear, ending his season. Caldwell would come back to play for the Chargers in 2005, but his contract would not be renewed after. 

Reche would then have his most successful season with the New England Patriots in 2006. Caldwell recorded over 60 receptions and 700 yards with the team. Unfortunately, Caldwell went on to drop two passes in an AFC Championship loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Caldwell was released four days before the start of the 2007 season.

Caldwell then signed a one year contract with the Washington Redskins and would go on to only have 15 receptions for 141 yards in 8 games.

After his contract expired, Caldwell signed with the St. Louis Rams but was released during preseason roster cuts. In his six-season NFL career, Caldwell played in 71 games in which he would record 152 receptions for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Though he only donned the uniform of four teams, Reche will be missed by the entire NFL community.

Pierson Scheinberg

Pierson Scheinberg is a student who lives in California, and attends the College Preparatory School. Pierson lived in Baltimore, Maryland until August 2017 when he moved to the Bay Area. Pierson is an avid golfer who enjoys watching all sports. He is a writer and sports analyst for At the Buzzer.