Mother of ex-NFL star Reche Caldwell says he was 'set up' in fatal shooting at his home as Tom Brady, Rex Grossman and other teammates remember his 'unreal talent and infectious humor'
- Former NFL receiver Reche Caldwell was fatally shot outside of his Tampa home
- Tampa police don't believe the shooting was random, but cautioned that the investigation is in its early stages. Caldwell's girlfriend said he was 'ambushed'
- His mother Deborah went a step further by telling the Tampa Times that her son was actually 'set up' by his killers: 'I'm going to follow it all the way to the end'
- Caldwell had legal troubles In 2014 - he was arrested for drug possession and intent to distribute and sentenced to prison. He later pleaded guilty to fraud
- Tom Brady, who now plays in Tampa for the Bucs and previously teamed with Caldwell in New England, posted two photos of the receiver on social media
- One says 'RIP' while displaying Caldwell in his Chargers' uniform, and the other shows the two hugging in their Patriots' uniforms with the caption 'All love RIP'
- Caldwell's quarterback at Florida, Rex Grossman, said he was one of his favorite people to play with: 'You will be missed by all your Gator family'
Tampa police don't believe ex-NFL wideout Reche Caldwell's fatal shooting was random
While Tampa police believe former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell's fatal shooting was a targeted attack, his mother Deborah is going a step further by saying her son was actually 'set up' by his killers.
The 41-year-old Caldwell was fatally shot outside of his home in Tampa on Saturday.
'He was set up,' Deborah Caldwell told the Tampa Bay Times. 'I'm going to follow it all the way to the end.'
According to multiple reports Caldwell was leaving for a date with his girlfriend when he went back into his home to grab a jacket.
The girlfriend said Caldwell was 'ambushed' by a 'couple of people' who jumped out of the bushes in an attempted robbery.
Caldwell was struck in the leg and chest and died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
'You get killed right here in your hometown?' Deborah Caldwell said of her son, one of Tampa's most celebrated athletes. 'You made a statement here, and y'all just took it away from us?'
Tampa police have made it clear that they believe Caldwell was targeted.
'This does not appear to be a random act,' said a department spokesman. 'However, it is very early in the investigation and detectives are working to develop leads in the case. Updates will be provided as they become available.'
Caldwell was killed outside of his home in Tampa. An exact address has not been publicized, but the shooting occurred on the 3600 block of East Hanna Avenue in Tampa (pictured)
Tom Brady, who now plays in Tampa for the Buccaneers and previously teamed with Caldwell in New England, posted two photos of the receiver on social media. One says 'RIP' while displaying Caldwell in his Chargers' uniform, and the other shows the two sharing a hug in their Patriots' uniforms with the caption 'All love RIP' with a heart
Legal troubles followed after Caldwell's career. In 2014, he was arrested for drug possession and intent to distribute and sentenced to prison, and in 2016, he was charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and pleaded guilty.
Despite his troubles, Caldwell's family, teammates and coaches remember him as a positive person who impacted those around him.
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'He was a good person who smiled all of the time,' Deborah Caldwell told TMZ. '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.'
Tom Brady, who now plays in Tampa for the Buccaneers and previously teamed with Caldwell in New England, posted two photos of the receiver on social media. One says 'RIP' while displaying Caldwell in his Chargers' uniform, and the other shows the two sharing a hug in their Patriots' uniforms with the caption 'All love RIP' with a heart.
Another former New England teammate, Ben Watson, remembered Caldwell fondly on Twitter: 'Always kept us laughing and light hearted. Always had the biggest smile. Always had the greatest stories. Sad to hear about the passing of my teammate Reche Caldwell. May the Lord comfort his family during this time.'
Patriots coach Bill Belichick offered his 'thoughts and prayers' to the Caldwell family
Bill Belichick, who coached Caldwell in New England, released a statement Sunday: 'I am saddened to hear the news about Reche. He is remembered for his solid contributions to our team. My thoughts and prayers are with Reche's family.'
Caldwell played collegiately at Florida for coach Steve Spurrier from 1998-2001 and posted 141 career receptions for 2,088 yards and 18 touchdowns.
On Sunday, Spurrier said Caldwell was 'one of the best WRs in school history and was very instrumental in winning the 2000 SEC Championship.'
Caldwell's quarterback at Florida, Rex Grossman, said he was one of his favorite people to play with.
'RIP Reche,' Grossman wrote. 'You were one of my favorite teammates of all time. I will always remember our time at Florida for your unreal talent, infectious humor, and our shared success as a team. You will be missed by all your Gator family.'
Caldwell's QB at Florida, Rex Grossman, said he was one of his favorite people to play with
The then-San Diego Chargers selected him in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, and Caldwell played 47 games in four seasons for the club, followed by a season each with the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins. He finished with 152 career receptions for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns in six seasons from 2002-07.
One of Caldwell's biggest moments came in an AFC divisional playoff game following the 2006 regular season when the Patriots rallied from a late eight-point deficit to stun the host Chargers 24-21.
San Diego's Marlon McCree intercepted Tom Brady with under 6 1/2 minutes left but fumbled the ball during the return and Caldwell recovered. Five plays later, Caldwell caught a 4-yard touchdown pass and New England's ensuing two-point conversion tied the score.
Caldwell later caught a 49-pass from Brady to set up the game-winning field goal. He had seven receptions for 80 yards while ending the Super Bowl hopes of his former club. Caldwell led the Patriots that season with 61 receptions and 760 yards, his only season with the club. He also tied for the team lead with four touchdown catches that season.
His final season was in 2007, when he caught 15 balls for 141 yards in eight games with the Washington Redskins.
All three of Caldwell's former NFL teams as well as Florida sent out statements expressing their condolences.
'We are deeply saddened by the loss of former Gator WR Reche Caldwell,' Florida said in its statement on Twitter. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.'
Former Patriots receiver Wes Welker responded to the news on social media
