Rondale Moore, 25, died on Saturday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, stated New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey, who informed a number of native media retailers that Moore’s physique was present in a storage. An post-mortem is scheduled for Sunday, per WLKY-TV. Moore was born and grew up in New Albany, Indiana.
The previous star extensive receiver at Purdue signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 however suffered a season-ending knee damage throughout the yr’s first preseason recreation. Moore spent his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, which chosen him with the No. 49 total choose within the 2021 NFL Draft, earlier than shifting to the Atlanta Falcons, the place he additionally suffered a preseason knee damage that prevented him from taking part in in 2024.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the Vikings stated in a press release. “Whereas we’re working to know the information, we’ve got spoken with Rondale’s household to supply our condolences and the complete help of the Minnesota Vikings. We’ve additionally been in communication with our gamers, coaches, and employees, and can make counseling and emotional help sources accessible to anybody in want. Our ideas are with Rondale’s household and mates throughout this devastating time.”
Essentially the most dynamic participant in faculty soccer throughout his freshman marketing campaign with the Boilermakers, Moore was a consensus All-American, Paul Warfield Trophy winner and the CBS Sports activities Freshman of the Yr in 2018, a season by which he amassed 1,258 yards receiving, 213 yards speeding and 14 complete touchdowns. He solely performed seven video games over his sophomore and junior seasons.
“Rondale Moore was an entire pleasure to teach,” stated Jeff Brohm, who led the Purdue soccer program whereas Moore was enrolled, in a press release. “The last word competitor that would not again down from any problem. Rondale had a piece ethic unmatched by anybody. An amazing teammate that might come by in any state of affairs. All of us liked Rondale, we liked his smile and aggressive edge that all the time wished to please everybody he got here involved with.”
Moore’s greatest NFL effort was his third yr with the Cardinals, his lone full skilled season, when he gained 530 yards of complete offense and scored two touchdowns. Moore gained 1,450 complete yards and 4 touchdowns in Arizona.
“I’m devastated by the information of Rondale’s dying,” stated Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “Whereas Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short while, he was somebody we got here to know nicely and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful younger man who was happy with his Indiana roots. As a participant, he was disciplined, devoted and resilient regardless of dealing with adversity a number of instances as accidents sidelined him all through his profession. We’re all heartbroken by the very fact he will not proceed to dwell out his NFL dream and we can’t all have an opportunity to look at him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale’s household, mates, teammates and coaches as all of us cope with this tragic information.”
