Former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell killed in Tampa shooting

Former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell was shot and killed Saturday night in his hometown of Tampa. He was 41.

Caldwell's mother, Deborah Caldwell, confirmed her son's death, first reported by TMZ Sports. "He tried to help everyone he could," she told TMZ. "He was the type of guy who would take his shirt off his back and give it to you." Caldwell's mother told the Tampa Bay Times the police broke the news to her Saturday evening.

Tampa Police told Paste BN Sports a fatal shooting occurred Saturday night just before 11 p.m., but they did not release the victim's identity. An investigation is continuing and police say the incident "does not appear to be a random act."

Caldwell played six seasons in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins from 2002-07. A second-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2001, the former University of Florida wideout's best season came in 2006 with the Patriots, when he played in all 16 games and caught 61 passes for a team-leading 760 yards and four touchdowns. 

According to ESPN, Caldwell was awaiting sentencing later this month after pleading guilty in January to one charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud after he and several former NFL players filed nearly $4 million in false insurance claims. Caldwell was arrested in 2014 for drug possession with intent to sell. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of probation.