Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has publicly criticized fellow NFL players for posting tributes online while failing to attend the funeral of former teammate Rondale Moore. Only about six or seven ex-teammates showed up for the service on Friday, prompting Pitts to call out what he described as insincere emotions.
Pitts’ Outrage Over Low Attendance
Pitts shared a photo of Moore’s funeral pamphlet on his Instagram story, writing: “Crazy how only about 6 maybe 7 of your teammates in the NFL showed up for you today smfh.” He continued, “All that talk and fake emotion and nobody want to show up to lay you to rest… Just at a loss of words.”
Pitts urged awareness about true friendships in the league: “Be woke on who your ‘Brothers’ really are, who really rock with you in all areas of life not just in front of cameras or the public! Folks just want to throw up a post and not mean it but we ball yb as Kur said ‘it might hurt a little’ but we ball.”
Tragic Death of Rondale Moore
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore, 25, died last month from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound discovered in his garage. The incident marked the second sudden NFL death in recent months, following Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland, who shot himself after evading Texas police in November.
After Moore’s passing, numerous players shared social media tributes. Pitts, who stayed close with Moore after their time together on the Falcons, posted photos of them and wrote: “Midget Mack… This can’t be real dawg [heartbroken emoji] I’m really sitting here crying on even what to say or think bruh. We literally was just on the phone yesterday morning.”
He added, “I’m so hurt dawg, I’d never thought I’d be making this type of post let alone it be about you! Rondale, you’re truly at peace now watching over us but wish you didn’t leave us man. I love you dawg and 4 is going to live on forever.”
Moore’s NFL Career and Background
Moore and Pitts played together for one season in Atlanta after Arizona traded Moore, the 49th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, to the Falcons in 2024. Pitts was selected fourth overall that year. Moore later signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Vikings before the 2025 season.
His final year ended prematurely in August 2025 with a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game against the Houston Texans, the second straight year injuries sidelined him.
A Purdue graduate in 2020 with a degree in selling and sales management and a 3.5 GPA, Moore earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year honors in 2018 despite his 5-foot-7 frame. He was the 2017 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year at Louisville’s Trinity High School.
Vikings’ Response
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated: “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. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots.”
O’Connell praised Moore’s discipline and resilience: “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. My prayers are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.”
The team expressed deep sadness and is providing counseling and emotional support to teammates and coaches.
