Former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell has died. Rogash/Getty Images

Former NFL receiver Reche Caldwell killed in shooting

Former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell has died, according to TMZ. The 41-year-old was shot and killed in Tampa, his mother confirmed.

Caldwell was getting ready to take his girlfriend on a date when he was "ambushed" by a couple of people who wanted to rob him. He was shot in the leg and chest and died in the ambulance on his way to the hospital.

A native of Florida, Caldwell played his college football at the University of Florida before being selected in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He also was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1998 MLB Draft.

Caldwell played four seasons for the Chargers before signing one-year deals with the New England Patriots and Washington to close out his career. In six seasons he had 152 receptions for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns.

After his NFL career ended, Caldwell was arrested in 2014 for for drug possession and intent to distribute and also pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud in 2016, among other charges.

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