Reche Caldwell -- a former NFL wide receiver who played with Tom Brady -- was shot and killed in Tampa on Saturday, this was confirmed by his mother.
According to Caldwell's mother ... Reche -- real name Donald Caldwell -- was getting ready to take his girlfriend out on a date when he went back inside his home to grab a jacket.
He was only 41.
Reche's girlfriend says the former player was "ambushed" by a "couple of people" who jumped out of bushes trying to rob him.
We're told Reche was shot in the leg and chest -- and someone called 911.
Unfortunately, the injuries were so severe, Caldwell's mother tells us Reche died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
"He was a good person who smiled all of the time," Deborah Caldwell tells us.
"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."
Caldwell was a 2nd round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Florida.
He played 6 years in the NFL for the Chargers, Patriots and Redskins -- and was a part of the New England team that lost to the Colts in the 2006 AFC Championship.
We've reached out to authorities to find out of any arrests have been made. So far, no word back.
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