Rondale Moore Dies at 25, NFL WR Played for Vikings and Cardinals

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has died at the age of 25.

Moore was found with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound in a garage of a property in New Albany, Indiana, per New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey (h/t Jay Skebba of WHAS-TV). The Floyd County Coroner's Office also confirmed his death.

Per Britt Del Barba, Renee Maloney and Jennifer Osting of WLKY, Bailey also said an investigation is ongoing.

The Vikings and Arizona Cardinals, two of Moore's former pro teams, released statements after news of the tragedy was released.

Purdue, where Moore starred collegiately, did as well.

The NFL and NFLPA also released statements:

Moore's former head coach at Purdue, Jeff Brohm (now Louisville's head coach), released a statement. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell did also.

Moore was born and raised in New Albany before leaving for Purdue in 2018. The 5'7" wideout then authored one of the best freshman seasons in college football history, catching 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 213 rushing yards and two scores. His season highlight was a 12-catch, 170-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 49-20 upset win over No. 2 Ohio State.

Moore added 744 return yards as well and earned All-American honors.

Unfortunately, injuries held him to just seven games over his next two seasons. However, Moore remarkably graduated during that time span, getting his degree in just two-and-a-half years.

Moore's tantalizing talents were tough to ignore, and the Cardinals selected him with a second-round pick (No. 49 overall) in the 2021 NFL draft. Before his rookie season began, he bought his mother, Quincy Ricketts, a house.

At times, Moore flashed that freshman year brilliance in the pros. For example, he had seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in his second-ever NFL game, a 34-33 win over the Vikings.

Unfortunately, Moore never really took off in Arizona and finished with 1,450 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in three seasons. Injuries notably hindered his 2022 season, when he missed nine contests with hamstring and groin ailments.

The Cardinals traded Moore to the Atlanta Falcons for quarterback Desmond Ridder in March 2024. The opportunity provided Moore a chance at a fresh start. Sadly, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp.

Moore got another chance in 2025 after signing a one-year deal with the Vikings. Terrible luck followed again, though, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury after being tackled while returning a punt in a preseason game.

This is a tragic and devastating loss. Moore had endured so many physical ailments but kept coming back to give himself another chance. It's clear based on reactions from his former coaches and teammates on social media that he had a tremendous impact on others off the field as well.

Other NFL players also offered their thoughts and condolences.

Ultimately, Moore left an indelible mark on many thousands of football fans with his electric play, and his character away from the sport will not be forgotten either.

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