NFL Wide Receiver Rondale Moore Dies at 25 in Indiana

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has died at age 25 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Indiana. The former Purdue standout and NFL player was found deceased in a New Albany garage on Saturday.

The Floyd County Coroner’s Office in Indiana has confirmed the death of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore on Saturday. The 25-year-old athlete was discovered in a New Albany garage with what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday as authorities continue their investigation into Moore’s death.

Moore made his mark in college football during his freshman year at Purdue University in 2018, accumulating an impressive 1,471 scrimmage yards along with 662 yards on kickoff returns. His debut collegiate performance against Northwestern set a new Purdue record for all-purpose yards in a single game, totaling 313 yards through receiving (109), rushing (79 on just two attempts), and kickoff returns (125). That breakout season earned him All-America recognition and 12 receiving touchdowns.

His exceptional versatility on the field was recognized when he received the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to college football’s most versatile player.

Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue and now serves as Louisville’s head coach, shared his memories of the young athlete on social media Saturday evening:

“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 with. We offer all our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family. We love him very much.”

The Arizona Cardinals selected Moore as their second-round pick, 49th overall, in the 2021 NFL Draft. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 54 receptions for 435 yards and one touchdown while also returning 13 kickoffs for an average of 22.4 yards. Injuries plagued his professional career, limiting him to 39 appearances out of 51 possible games across three seasons in Arizona.

Arizona traded Moore to the Atlanta Falcons before the 2024 season began, but a knee injury sustained during training camp ended his season before it started. The Vikings later signed him as a free agent prior to last season, though another knee injury during preseason action once again cut his campaign short.

Moore was a native of New Albany, Indiana, where he attended New Albany High School before transferring to Trinity High School in Louisville to complete his prep career.