Rondale Moore Cause of Death: NFL Wide Receiver Dies at 25 in New Albany, Indiana

The football world is mourning the sudden and tragic loss of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore, who died Saturday, February 22, 2026, in New Albany, Indiana. Moore was just 25 years old. The New Albany Police Department confirmed the Rondale Moore cause of death is a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. An official investigation remains active, and an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.

Rondale Moore Cause of Death: What Police Confirmed

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey disclosed that Moore was found deceased in the garage of a property on the 1600 block of Elkin Avenue — the same city where he was born and raised. The Floyd County Coroner, Matthew Tomlin, confirmed Moore was transferred to Baptist Floyd Hospital before being pronounced dead at approximately 6:15 p.m. ET on Saturday. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details pending the completed autopsy.

Minnesota Vikings React to the Death of Rondale Moore

The Minnesota Vikings issued an immediate statement expressing grief over the loss of their wide receiver. Head coach Kevin O'Connell called himself "devastated," describing Moore as a "humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots." The organization announced that counseling and emotional support resources would be made available to all players, coaches, and staff.

Rondale Moore's NFL Career: A Timeline of Promise and Injury

Moore was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 49 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. His best professional season came in 2023, when he totaled 530 yards of offense and scored two touchdowns. A trade to Atlanta in 2024, followed by a knee injury in training camp, erased his entire first season with the Falcons. He signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in March 2025, but suffered another serious left knee injury returning a punt in the Vikings' first preseason game on August 9 — the very first time he touched the ball as a Viking.

A Star at Purdue Before the NFL

Before his professional career, Rondale Moore was one of the most electrifying players in college football. As a true freshman at Purdue in 2018, he recorded 1,258 receiving yards, 213 rushing yards, and 14 total touchdowns — earning consensus All-American honors, the Paul Warfield Trophy, and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Coach Jeff Brohm, now at Louisville, called Moore "the ultimate competitor that wouldn't back down from any challenge" and a teammate with an "unmatched work ethic."

Tributes Pour In From Across the NFL

The outpouring of grief from the football community was immediate. Former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt posted that he couldn't "begin to fathom or process this," adding Moore had "so much left to give." Minnesota linebacker Jonathan Greenard paid tribute on social media, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he was praying for Moore's family and the entire Vikings community. The Arizona Cardinals also released a statement calling the news "devastating and heartbreaking."

A Broader Crisis in Professional Football

The death of Rondale Moore follows a pattern of tragedies that have shaken the NFL in recent years. Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, 24, died by suicide earlier this year. Former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy, also 24, died by suicide in 2025. Moore's passing marks the second death of an active Vikings player in less than two years, following the 2024 car accident that claimed the life of cornerback Khyree Jackson. These losses have intensified conversations around mental health support for professional athletes facing injury, career uncertainty, and pressure.