Vikings Receiver Rondale Moore Dies at 25

The National Football League (NFL) wide receiver Rondale Moore has died at the age of 25, authorities in Indiana confirmed on Saturday.

Todd Bailey, police chief in Moore’s hometown of New Albany, said Moore was found dead in a garage, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Bailey noted that the investigation is ongoing and that no further information would be released.

The Minnesota Vikings have expressed deep sadness over Moore’s passing. The team said it had reached out to his family to offer condolences and support, while they worked to understand the circumstances of his death.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said that he was devastated by the loss and would  remember Moore as a humble and respectful player who had faced multiple injuries with strength.

He added that the team was heartbroken that Moore would not be able to continue pursuing his NFL career.

“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,” O’Connell said in a statement. “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.”

Moore’s former Purdue University coach, Jeff Brohm, remembered him as a joy to coach, praising his unmatched work ethic and his ability to lift teammates in any situation.

Brohm said Moore’s smile and competitive spirit had made a lasting impact on everyone around him.

After a standout college career, Moore was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. 

He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024 but suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp.

Last March, he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings, only to sustain another season-ending knee injury in the team’s first pre-season game.