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NEW ALBANY, Ind. — The sports world is mourning the loss of Rondale Moore, the NFL wide receiver known for his dynamic college career at Purdue and his early promise with the Arizona Cardinals. Tragically, Moore was found dead on Saturday at just 25 years old, as confirmed by local authorities.
According to police reports, Moore’s death is believed to be due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was discovered in the garage of a property in his hometown of New Albany. The investigation into his death is still ongoing, with Police Chief Todd Bailey leading the efforts.
Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed the passing of Moore and announced that an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday to further understand the circumstances surrounding his death.
Moore’s professional journey was marred by injuries after an impressive start in the NFL. Following his trade to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, he suffered a dislocated right knee during training camp, preventing him from playing that season. In 2025, Moore signed with the Minnesota Vikings but faced another setback when he injured his left knee while returning a punt in a preseason game. The severity of the injury was immediately apparent to Moore, leading to a visibly emotional reaction on the field.
The Minnesota Vikings have since reached out to Moore’s family to extend their condolences and offer their support during this difficult time.
“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 said in a statement distributed by the team. “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 a statement, the Cardinals said they were “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 team said in a social media post.
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.
“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 said on social media. Brohm was the coach at Purdue when Moore played there.
Drafted in the second round by the Cardinals in 2021, Moore had 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns plus 249 rushing yards and one score over three seasons. He served as their primary returner for kickoffs and punts as a rookie before injuries pushed him away from that role.
“Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,” former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt said on social media. “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”
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