A former CFL receiver who previously amassed 1,000 yards in a season has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a child.
According to authorities in Hillsborough County, Fla., Prechae Rodriguez, who had been employed as a behavioral support teacher at Eisenhower Exceptional Center, allegedly struck a nine-year-old student with autism on Feb. 8. Following an investigation, the school terminated Rodriguez’s employment.
The 39-year-old was apprehended at his residence on Monday and charged with one count of child abuse. However, it’s essential to note that these allegations have yet to be substantiated in court.
Standing at six-foot-five and weighing 215 pounds, Rodriguez gained recognition in the CFL’s East Division in 2008, where he was nominated for Most Outstanding Rookie after an impressive season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. During that season, he secured 70 receptions for 1,099 yards and seven touchdowns. He then moved on to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the subsequent offseason after making 45 catches for 495 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.
Despite his initial success, Rodriguez’s career trajectory saw him playing for various CFL teams, including the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Football Team, and Toronto Argonauts, over the following seasons. During this period, he managed to make 41 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns across 16 regular-season games.
Originally hailing from Tampa, Fla., Rodriguez transitioned to the Arena Football League in 2012, signing with the Tampa Bay Storm. He made a significant impact, setting franchise records with 125 receptions for 1,653 yards and 32 touchdowns. His tenure in the AFL spanned until 2016.
