Rondale Moore, Vikings NFL receiver, dies at 25 | American Football News
Former Purdue Star Rondale Moore Found Dead at 25
Rondale Moore, a former star receiver at Purdue University and NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, was found dead Saturday in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana. He was 25 years old.
Authorities reported that Moore died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police Chief Todd Bailey confirmed that his body was discovered in a garage, and the death is currently under investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, according to Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin.
Moore’s professional career was marred by injuries, with season-ending knee injuries in training camps for the past two years. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 but dislocated his right knee before taking the field. He later signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 but suffered a serious left knee injury during a preseason game, which placed him on injured reserve for the entire season.
The Vikings organization extended condolences to Moore’s family following his death. Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his heartbreak, stating, “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots.”
The Arizona Cardinals also released a statement, expressing their devastation over Moore’s passing. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the team shared on social media.
Moore, who was notable for his talent in college, earned first-team All-American honors as a freshman at Purdue in 2018. Drafted in the second round by the Cardinals in 2021, Moore accumulated 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns, along with 249 rushing yards and one score over three seasons. He also served as the primary returner for kickoffs and punts during his rookie year.
Tributes poured in from around the NFL, including from former teammate J.J. Watt, who lamented the loss on social media, saying, “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace, Rondale.”
The football community continues to mourn the loss of a promising talent whose career was cut tragically short.
