A former 1,000-yard CFL receiver has been arrested after allegedly striking a child.
Authorities in Hillsborough County, Fla. claim that Prechae Rodriguez struck a nine-year-old student with autism in the face at Eisenhower Exceptional Center where he worked as a behavioral support teacher on Feb. 8. The school recently terminated his employment following an investigation.
The 39-year-old was arrested at his home on Monday and charged with one count of child abuse. These allegations have not been proven in court.
The six-foot-five, 215-pound receiver was the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie in 2008 after making 70 receptions for 1,099 yards and seven touchdowns as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He caught 45 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns in 2009 before being traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders the following off-season.
The Auburn University product bounced between the Riders, Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Football Team, and Toronto Argonauts over the next two seasons, making 41 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns over 16 regular season games.
The native of Tampa, Fla. signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League in 2012 and set franchise records with 125 receptions for 1,653 yards and 32 touchdowns. His career in the AFL continued through 2016.
