Rondale Moore Found Dead at 25; Police Say Suspected Self-Inflicted Gunshot
Former Purdue star and NFL wide receiver rondale moore was found dead on Saturday in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, and police say they believe he died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. The death is under investigation and an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.
Police and Coroner: New Albany and Floyd County Confirmation
Law enforcement in New Albany said Moore was discovered in a garage on Saturday. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed his death and an autopsy was set for the following day to determine the official cause.
Police Describe Suspected Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
Police have characterized the injury as a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. The NFL Players Association released a statement that strongly hinted at that cause, and officials have framed the matter as an active investigation while medical examiners complete the autopsy.
Vikings, NFL and Cardinals Issue Condolences
The Minnesota Vikings said they were "deeply saddened" and that they had spoken with Moore's family, offering the team's support and counseling resources to players, coaches and staff. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he was "devastated, " calling Moore "humble, soft-spoken, and respectful, " and praising his discipline and resilience in the face of repeated injuries.
The NFL said it was "deeply saddened" by Moore's passing and extended thoughts to his family, friends and teammates. The Arizona Cardinals called the news devastating and heartbreaking, offering condolences to Moore's family and everyone who knew him. Former Cardinals teammate J. J. Watt posted a reaction on social media expressing shock and sorrow.
Career Timeline: Drafts, Trades and Injuries
Moore was a second-round pick out of Purdue by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft and spent three seasons with Arizona. He started 23 games for the Cardinals, catching 135 passes for 1, 201 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing 52 times for 249 yards and one score. In March 2024 he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons and a year later, in March 2025, he signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Injuries shaped the final years of his career: he missed the entire 2024 campaign after suffering a dislocated right knee during training camp with the Falcons. He participated in the Vikings' 2025 offseason and training camp but suffered a season-ending left knee injury while returning a punt on Aug. 9 in the team's preseason opener, forcing him to miss a second consecutive season.
Purdue Achievements and Early Promise
Moore was a freshman first-team All-American at Purdue in 2018, when he totaled 114 catches for 1, 258 yards and 12 touchdowns and won the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player. Across three seasons with the Boilermakers, he amassed 1, 915 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns and added 248 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. By the end of 2020 he was widely regarded as one of the most explosive multi-purpose wide receiver prospects heading into the NFL Draft.
Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, praised him as "the ultimate competitor" with an unmatched work ethic and a competitive edge that made him a special teammate.
Mental Health Context and Public Messaging
Broad commentary accompanying the news emphasized mental-health concerns, noting that many people dealing with depression and other issues suffer in silence and that quick intervention can matter. The message urged anyone struggling to reach out; one public-health point cited during a national feature was that Jolie Foreman of Shelby County Cares said every suicide directly affects 130 people. Help-line information highlighted the 988 crisis line as an option for immediate assistance.
One broader note in coverage stressed that no single absence fails to ripple across many relationships, underscoring the reach of such a loss beyond the individual.
What makes this notable is the convergence of an early, highly touted college career, repeated injuries that kept Moore off the field for two straight seasons, and the suddenness of his death while still under contract and connected to NFL teams and communities.
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