Rondale Moore: Vikings receiver found dead at 25

Warning: this story includes content some readers may find distressing.

rondale moore, a 25-year-old wide receiver who had spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and been with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, was found dead after police were called to a property in his hometown. The circumstances of his death are under investigation, and an autopsy has been scheduled.

Rondale Moore found in New Albany garage; police and coroner investigating

New Albany police were called to a property on Saturday night and found Moore inside a garage, New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey said. The American player was transferred to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed Moore's death and said an autopsy would be conducted on Sunday. Police have said the wound was a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound and the death remains under investigation.

Vikings statement, team support and coach Kevin O'Connell's remarks

The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement saying they were deeply saddened and that they had spoken with Moore's family to offer condolences and the full support of the team. The Vikings said they had been in communication with players, coaches and staff and would make counseling and emotional support resources available. Coach Kevin O'Connell described Moore as humble, soft-spoken and respectful, proud of his Indiana roots, and said the team was heartbroken that he would not be able to continue his NFL dream. The NFL also said it was deeply saddened by the tragic passing.

Career arc: Cardinals draft pick, Falcons injury, and Vikings signing

Moore was a second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 draft and spent three seasons in Arizona. After joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, he dislocated his right knee in training camp and missed the entire 2024 campaign. He signed a one-year contract with the Vikings for the 2025 season and participated in Minnesota's offseason and training camp.

Injuries and preseason incident that ended his 2025 season

Following a series of injuries that hampered his career, Moore suffered a season-ending left knee injury while returning a punt on Aug. 9 in the Vikings' preseason opener. Accounts of the play say he was injured on his first kick return in the team's first preseason game, was pulled abruptly to the ground, was taken by cart to the locker room and slammed the back of the cart loudly enough to be noticed by others—unclear in the provided context where it was heard. Those knee injuries were cited as preventing him from building on earlier NFL production.

Statistics from Purdue and the NFL, and memories from coaches and teammates

As a freshman at Purdue in 2018, Moore caught 114 passes for 1, 258 yards and 12 touchdowns and set a Purdue record for all-purpose yardage, earning first-team All-American honors and the Paul Hornung Award. Over three seasons at Purdue he totaled 1, 915 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns while rushing for 248 yards and three scores. As a rookie in the NFL in 2021, he caught 54 passes. In three seasons with the Cardinals he started 23 games, caught 135 passes for 1, 201 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed 52 times for 249 yards and one score. Hamstring injuries limited him to eight games in 2022, and he played 17 games with eight starts in 2023, catching 40 passes for 352 yards. He had not played since the 2023 season.

Reactions from Purdue coach Jeff Brohm, J. J. Watt and the Cardinals

Purdue coach Jeff Brohm praised Moore as a joy to coach, a fierce competitor with an unmatched work ethic and a great teammate. The Cardinals said they were devastated and heartbroken and extended their deepest condolences to Moore's family, friends and teammates. Former Cardinals teammate J. J. Watt wrote that he could not fathom the news and expressed grief at a life taken too soon.

Correction note about a published image

An earlier published photograph showed Myles Price, not Moore; that image was later corrected.