Former Purdue standout and NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore died on Saturday in New Albany, Indiana, the Minnesota Vikings said. He was 25. Local police told WHAS11 he was found in a garage with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound; Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin said an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday and released no further details. The Vikings called the news devastating and said they are offering counseling and support to players and staff.
Key Takeaways
- Rondale Moore, 25, was found Saturday in New Albany, Indiana; authorities reported a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound and an autopsy was planned the following day.
- Moore was a second-round pick (2021) of the Arizona Cardinals and spent three NFL seasons with them, starting 23 games.
- In the NFL he had 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three receiving touchdowns, and rushed 52 times for 249 yards and one touchdown.
- At Purdue he was an AP first-team All-American in 2018 and won the Paul Hornung Award; across three collegiate seasons he totaled 1,915 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, plus 248 rushing yards and three rushing scores.
- Moore missed the 2024 season after dislocating his right knee with the Atlanta Falcons and suffered a season-ending left knee injury returning a punt on Aug. 9, 2025, while with the Minnesota Vikings.
- The Minnesota Vikings confirmed his death and said they had reached out to Moore’s family and would make counseling resources available to players and staff.
- Investigations are ongoing; officials have not released a final cause pending autopsy and police findings.
Background
Rondale Moore emerged at Purdue as one of college football’s most versatile playmakers. As a 2018 freshman he earned Associated Press first-team All-American honors as an all-purpose player and was awarded the Paul Hornung Award for versatility. Moore’s early collegiate production—1,915 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns over three seasons—made him a highly regarded draft prospect.
Selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, Moore initially showed playmaking flashes at the professional level but faced repeated injury setbacks. He started 23 games across three seasons with Arizona and compiled 135 catches for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, plus occasional rushing production. Those early injuries followed him through subsequent stops with Atlanta and Minnesota.
Main Event
Local law enforcement in New Albany, Indiana, notified media that officers found Moore in a garage on Saturday with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed an autopsy would be performed Sunday but declined to provide additional specifics about the circumstances.
The Minnesota Vikings issued a statement saying the club was “deeply saddened” and that it had contacted Moore’s family to offer condolences and support. The statement said the team had alerted players, coaches and staff and would make counseling and emotional-support resources available to anyone in need.
Moore’s recent roster history included time with the Atlanta Falcons, where he missed the 2024 season after dislocating his right knee, and a stint with the Vikings that covered the 2025 offseason and training camp. He sustained a season-ending left knee injury while returning a punt in Minnesota’s preseason opener on Aug. 9, 2025.
In explaining the human side of the loss, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell described Moore as humble and resilient, noting the young receiver’s pride in his Indiana roots and his dedication despite recurring injuries. Former college coach Jeff Brohm also offered a personal remembrance, praising Moore’s competitiveness and work ethic.
Analysis & Implications
Moore’s death removes a player who, despite limited continuity caused by injuries, had demonstrated tangible playmaking ability at both the college and professional levels. For the Vikings, the immediate focus will be personnel and emotional support; roster implications are secondary to addressing grief among teammates and staff. The club has said counseling will be available and that it is working to understand the facts surrounding his death.
At a league level, Moore’s passing is likely to renew discussions about player welfare and post-injury support, especially for players who face repeated rehabilitations and uncertain career trajectories. Teams routinely provide medical care and mental-health resources, but high-profile tragedies often prompt reviews of how those systems reach and support players during long recoveries.
Investigatively, the coroner’s autopsy and the New Albany police inquiry will establish the official cause and timeline, and may determine whether additional public details will be released. Reporting to date has been limited to preliminary statements from officials and the Vikings; a fuller public record will depend on the outcomes of those formal processes.
Comparison & Data
| Category | College (Purdue, 3 seasons) | NFL (3 seasons) |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving yards | 1,915 | 1,201 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 14 | 3 |
| Rushing yards | 248 | 249 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 3 | 1 |
| Games started | — | 23 |
Moore’s collegiate production showed an early trajectory toward an explosive, multi-purpose role; his NFL totals reflect both early opportunities and the limiting effect of injuries. The table highlights how his rushing output remained similar between college and the pros, while receiving production was higher in college—consistent with the transition many receivers face when adjusting to the professional game and interrupted seasons.
Reactions & Quotes
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore. While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings.”
Minnesota Vikings (team statement)
“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. He was humble, soft-spoken and respectful, proud of his Indiana roots. My prayers are with his family, friends, teammates and coaches.”
Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings head coach)
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach … a competitor with a work ethic unmatched by anyone. We all loved Rondale and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Jeff Brohm (Purdue head coach during Moore’s tenure)
Unconfirmed
- The official cause and manner of death are unconfirmed pending the coroner’s autopsy and the police investigation.
- Reports that the shooting was self-inflicted are preliminary; investigators have not yet released a final finding.
- Details about any medical or mental-health history that could be relevant have not been confirmed by public records or family statements.
Bottom Line
Rondale Moore’s death at 25 is a sudden and tragic development that cuts short the life and career of a player once celebrated for his versatility and competitive drive. While his on-field production was limited by injuries in recent seasons, his college and early NFL achievements showed the talent that made him a notable prospect and professional contributor.
For the Vikings and the broader football community, immediate priorities are supporting those affected, awaiting official findings from the coroner and police, and honoring Moore’s memory. Longer-term, the incident is likely to refocus attention on player welfare systems, injury recovery support and how teams help players navigate the off-field stresses that can accompany professional sport.
Sources
- ESPN (national sports journalism) — original report and team statements
- WHAS11 (local TV news) — local law enforcement reporting on discovery
- Minnesota Vikings (official team statement) — club announcement and support resources