Rondale Moore Found Dead in New Albany; Vikings Receiver Dies at 25 After Multiple Knee Injuries
Rondale Moore, the former Purdue star and NFL wide receiver, was found dead in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana. He was 25. Police said Moore died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound and that his body was discovered in the garage of a property in New Albany; the death remains under investigation. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed the death and said an autopsy would be conducted on Sunday. This development matters because Moore had been a high-profile player whose recent seasons were derailed by repeated, season-ending knee injuries.
Rondale Moore: death, location and official response
Local authorities in New Albany say Moore was found in the garage of a property in his hometown with a gunshot wound suspected to be self-inflicted. Police chief Todd Bailey provided that location detail. The Floyd County coroner, Matthew Tomlin, confirmed the death and scheduled an autopsy for Sunday. Officials have said the death remains under investigation. A content warning accompanies this coverage: the story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call or text 988 or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Career injuries and the recent NFL timeline
Moore’s professional career was repeatedly affected by training camp knee injuries over the last two years. After a promising start in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and dislocated his right knee during that training camp, never playing for the Falcons. He missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury and then signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025. During the Vikings' first exhibition game, he blew out his left knee while returning a punt and spent another full season on injured reserve. Teammates and observers noted how distraught Moore was upon realizing the severity of that most recent injury; he slammed his hand down on a cart so hard the sound was audible throughout the stadium.
College breakout, honors and early NFL production
Moore rose to national prominence as a freshman at Purdue. Standing 5-foot-7, he scored a 32-yard receiving touchdown and a 76-yard rushing touchdown in his first quarter of college action, finishing that game with 313 all-purpose yards — a program record. He went on to total 2, 048 all-purpose yards in 2018 and earned first-team All-American honors along with the Paul Hornung Award, the Paul Warfield Trophy, Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Injuries limited his availability after that debut; he played a combined seven games in his sophomore and junior years.
Draft status, NFL stats and returner role
Moore was drafted in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Over three NFL seasons with Arizona he posted 1, 201 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, plus 249 rushing yards and one rushing score. As a rookie he served as the Cardinals’ primary returner for kickoffs and punts before injuries limited that role.
Team and personal reactions
The Vikings said they had spoken with Moore’s family to offer condolences and support. A statement attributed to Kevin O'Connell described devastation at Moore’s death and noted that he was humble, soft-spoken, proud of his Indiana roots, disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite repeated injuries. A later statement attributed to Alex O'Connell expressed similar grief, calling Moore a humble and respectful young man and offering prayers for Moore’s family, friends, teammates and coaches. The Cardinals described themselves as devastated and heartbroken, extending deepest condolences to Moore’s family, friends and teammates. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, who was Moore’s coach at Purdue, remembered him as a complete joy to coach with an unmatched work ethic and competitive edge. Former Cardinals teammate J. J. Watt expressed shock and sorrow. Other reactions included messages from teammates on social platforms, including one message that said, “Bro ain’t no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago” and another noting, “You wasn’t alone bro.. I told you I know how you feel. ”
What is known now and next steps
The immediate facts established by authorities are that Rondale Moore, 25, was found dead in the garage of a property in New Albany with a gunshot wound suspected to be self-inflicted, and that the Floyd County coroner confirmed the death and will conduct an autopsy on Sunday. The death remains under investigation. Moore’s recent seasons were repeatedly ended by knee injuries: a dislocated right knee in Atlanta training camp after a 2024 trade and a blown left knee in a Vikings exhibition return that led to injured reserve. Details that remain unclear in the provided context include the precise timeline of medical treatment surrounding each injury and the full content of family statements. Further official updates may follow as investigators and the coroner complete their work.
