Rondale Moore Death: Former Purdue, NFL wide receiver found dead at 25 in New Albany
The rondale moore death was announced Saturday after the 25-year-old former Purdue standout and NFL wide receiver was found in his hometown garage in New Albany, Ind.; police said the wound appeared to be self-inflicted. The discovery has prompted team statements, NFL reaction and a reminder from player organizations about mental-health resources.
How Moore was found and the ongoing investigation
New Albany police chief Todd Bailey said Moore was found in the garage of a property in his hometown on Saturday with a gunshot wound that police suspect was self-inflicted. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed Moore’s death and said an autopsy would be conducted on Sunday. The death remains under investigation.
Rondale Moore Death: injuries, recent seasons and the moments after the last injury
Moore missed two straight seasons because of season-ending knee injuries. After being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, he dislocated his right knee during training camp and never played for them. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 and then blew out his left knee while returning a punt in the Vikings’ first exhibition game that year, subsequently spending another full season on injured reserve.
Moore’s reaction to the 2025 injury was immediate and visible: he was so distraught after realizing the seriousness of the injury that he slammed his hand down on a cart so hard the sound was audible throughout the stadium.
College and professional resume: Purdue, the Cardinals and on-field numbers
Moore grew up in New Albany, just across the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky, and was a first team All-American as a freshman at Purdue in 2018. He was drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.
Over three NFL seasons with Arizona, Moore compiled 1, 201 receiving yards and three touchdowns and added 249 rushing yards and one rushing score. He served as the Cardinals’ primary returner for kickoffs and punts as a rookie before injuries curtailed that role.
Team statements and teammates’ reactions, and calls about mental health
The Minnesota Vikings said they had spoken with Moore’s family to offer condolences and support. Coach Kevin O’Connell, distributed by the team, said he was devastated by Moore’s death and called Moore a humble, soft-spoken and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. O’Connell described Moore as disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite injuries that sidelined him multiple times and said the organization was heartbroken that Moore would not continue to live out his NFL dream.
The Arizona Cardinals said they were "devastated and heartbroken. " The team added in a social media post that its thoughts and deepest condolences were with Moore’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing him.
Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, who was Moore’s coach at Purdue, said on social media that Rondale "was a complete joy to coach, " calling him the ultimate competitor with unmatched work ethic, a great teammate who would come through in any situation and someone they all loved for his smile and competitive edge.
Former Cardinals teammate J. J. Watt wrote that he could not fathom the loss, calling Moore "way too special" and saying there was so much left to give. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown, who played with Moore for two seasons in Arizona, posted that he had received messages from Moore just hours before the death and shared a screenshot of an encouraging message Brown had sent Moore last August a couple of days after Moore’s injury.
Both Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. alluded to recent conversations with Moore. The NFL Players Association, for which Moore served as a player representative, posted a statement urging members who are struggling with mental health to reach out for support and to check on their teammates.
Content warnings in coverage noted references to suicide and provided immediate help information, encouraging anyone in crisis to call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Additional details and corrections
An incorrect photo that had been previously linked to the story was removed. Other details about the investigation and the autopsy were described as part of the ongoing inquiry by local authorities.
