Page 34 - Florida Sentinel 6-12-20

Crime
Funeral Set For Tampa NFL Great Killed In Shooting
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Police are currently investi- gating a shooting that left a man dead. The shooting took place Saturday night in East Tampa.
Police have not released the man’s name. However, news media throughout Tampa Bay has identified him as 41-year-old Donald Reche Caldwell, Jr., of Tampa.
His mother, Mrs. Deborah Caldwell said, “I’m just at a loss. He was our hero. We are a close knit family and we talk every day. I spoke to him twice on Saturday. He said to ‘tell everyone I love them.’”
His mother said Caldwell was at his girlfriend’s home when he was shot.
According to Tampa Police, officers responded to the 3600 block of E. Hanna Avenue shortly before 11 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered a man in his 40s in the front yard of a residence. The man was suf- fering from gunshot wounds. Officers provided first aid and he was transported to a local hospital, where he was pro- nounced deceased.
Detectives said it does not appear to be a random act. How- ever, it is very early in the inves- tigation and detectives are working to develop leads in the case.
Reward Offered
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in this homicide. Anyone with any information regarding the iden- tity of the suspect(s) and who wants to be eligible for a cash re- ward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873- TIPS (8477), or report anony- mously online at www.crimestopperstb.com. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay must be contacted first to be eli- gible for the reward.
About Reche Caldwell Caldwell was born in Tampa on March 28, 1979. He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County and grad- uated from Jefferson High
School.
DONALD RECHE CALDWELL, JR. March 28, 1979 — June 6, 2020
Reche and brother Andre was another amazing family from Tampa to make it in the NFL.
RECHE CALDWELL
... As a professional football player
Athletic Career
While at Jefferson, he played basketball, was a standout foot- ball player, and played baseball as well.
Caldwell was named No. 67 athlete of the century in the fall of 1999 in the area’s by the Tampa Tribune.
As a member of the baseball team, setting records in batting average (.379); doubles (25); triples (6); steals (67); and runs (76).
In football, Caldwell was a tailback his freshman year. He was a legendary quarterback leading the Dragons to a Class 5A State Semifinals in 1996. He was named the state’s 5A player of the year that same season.
He continued his education at the University of Florida, where he majored in Leisure Service Management. Coached by Steve Spurrier, Caldwell posted 141 receptions for 2,088 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Caldwell was chosen in the second-round in the 2002 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. In 2004, he began the season with 3 touchdown receptions in the Charger’s first five games. However, he suffered a knee in- jury, tearing his anterior cruci- ate ligament (ACL).
He went on to play for the New England Patriots, for a t0tal of 60 catches and 700 yards. He also had 7 receptions for 80 yards, including a four- yard touchdown reception.
His next stop was a one-year stint with the Washington Red- skins, where he played in 8 games with 15 receptions for 141 yards.
His final stop in the NFL was short lived with the St. Louis Rams. He was released during the final pre-season roster cuts.
His brother, Andre, fol- lowed in his footsteps in the NFL, playing for the Denver Broncos for 4 years, and 4 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught 156 passes for 1,509 yards and 11 touchdowns. Andre retired as a Super Bowl Champion in 2016.
Caldwell was the oldest of two sons born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Donald (Debo- rah) Caldwell, Sr.
In addition to his parents, Caldwell is survived by: his daughter, Recheyla Caldwell, 22, son, 13-year-old son, Cash- mere Caldwell, his brother, Andre, and other family mem- bers and friends.
Mrs. Caldwell said Cald- well was raised in the Baptist faith and visited various churches, but loved to hear Rev. Rayford Harper, of First Bap- tist Church of West Tampa preach.
Rev. Harper will officiate at his funeral on Saturday, June 20th. The wake will take place at the church on Friday as well.
Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrange- ments.
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