New Albany, Indiana
AP
—
Rondale Moore, an NFL receiver who had season-ending coaching camp knee accidents in every of the final two years after a standout faculty profession at Purdue and a promising begin with the Arizona Cardinals, was found dead Saturday, authorities mentioned. He was 25.
Police mentioned Moore died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore was found dead in the storage of a property in his hometown of New Albany, police chief Todd Bailey mentioned. The dying stays underneath investigation.
Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin additionally confirmed Moore’s dying. He mentioned an post-mortem could be performed on Sunday.
After being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Moore dislocated his proper knee throughout coaching camp and by no means performed for them. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, however he blew out his left knee whereas returning a punt in their first exhibition recreation and spent one other full season on injured reserve. Moore was so distraught after instantly realizing the seriousness of that damage that he slammed his hand down on a cart so arduous the sound was audible all through the stadium.
The Vikings mentioned that they had spoken with Moore’s household to supply condolences and assist.
“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply,” coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned in an announcement distributed by the crew. “He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish.”
In an announcement, the Cardinals mentioned they have been “devastated and heartbroken.”
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the crew mentioned in a social media post.
Moore grew up in New Albany, simply throughout the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky, and was a primary crew All-American as a freshman at Purdue in 2018.
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor who wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale; we loved his smile and his competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm mentioned on social media. Brohm was the coach at Purdue when Moore performed there.
Drafted in the second spherical by the Cardinals in 2021, Moore had 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns plus 249 dashing yards and one rating over three seasons. He served as their main returner for kickoffs and punts as a rookie earlier than accidents pushed him away from that function.
“Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,” former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt mentioned on social media. “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”
CORRECTION: An earlier model of this story corrected a misidentified picture. The picture was beforehand eliminated, and this model provides a correction footnote to the underside of the story.