NFL Player Rondale Moore Dies at 25 in Indiana

Professional football player Rondale Moore, who played for the Arizona Cardinals and most recently the Minnesota Vikings, was found dead Saturday in New Albany, Indiana at age 25. Police are investigating the death as a suspected suicide following years of career-ending injuries that kept Moore sidelined.

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Professional football player Rondale Moore, whose promising NFL career was derailed by consecutive season-ending knee injuries, has died at age 25 in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, according to local authorities.

Police Chief Todd Bailey confirmed that Moore was discovered deceased in a garage on Saturday, with investigators treating the death as a suspected suicide by gunshot. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin announced that an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday as the investigation continues.

The wide receiver’s career was marked by devastating setbacks in recent years. Following his trade to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Moore suffered a dislocated right knee during training camp and never took the field for the team. After signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, tragedy struck again when he tore his left knee while fielding a punt return in the team’s opening preseason contest. The injury was so severe that Moore’s anguished reaction — striking a medical cart with such force that the sound echoed through the stadium — demonstrated his immediate understanding of the career implications.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell released an emotional statement following news of Moore’s death. “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,” O’Connell said. “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.”

The Arizona Cardinals, Moore’s former team, expressed their grief in a public statement, saying they were “devastated and heartbroken.” The organization added, “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.”

Moore’s football journey began in New Albany, located just over the Kentucky border from Louisville. He achieved remarkable success early in his college career, earning first-team All-American honors as a freshman at Purdue University in 2018.

Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore during his time at Purdue, shared heartfelt memories on social media. “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,” Brohm wrote.

Selected by Arizona in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore accumulated 1,201 receiving yards with three touchdowns and added 249 rushing yards with one score across three seasons. During his rookie year, he handled primary return duties for both kickoffs and punts before injuries forced him away from those responsibilities.

Former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt expressed his shock and sorrow on social media, writing, “Can’t even begin to fathom or process this. There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”

The Minnesota Vikings confirmed they had reached out to Moore’s family to provide support and condolences during this difficult time.