Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore died Saturday, the Floyd County (Ind.) coroner confirmed to The Athletic. He was 25 years old.
According to multiple reports by news outlets in Minnesota and Indiana, New Albany (Ind.) Chief of Police Todd Bailey said Moore was found inside a garage and that he died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, according to the reports.
Moore burst onto the national scene as a freshman at Purdue in 2018. That season, he racked up 1,471 scrimmage yards and another 662 on 33 kickoff returns, scoring 12 receiving touchdowns and earning All-America honors. He broke the Purdue single-game record for all-purpose yards in his first collegiate game, putting up 109 yards receiving, 79 yards rushing (on only two carries) and 125 kickoff return yards for 313 total against Northwestern.
He won the Paul Hornung Award for the nation’s most versatile player that season.
Current Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, issued a statement on social media Saturday night:
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor who wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and his competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family. We love him very much.”
The Arizona Cardinals drafted Moore in the second round (49th overall) in 2021. He caught 54 passes for 435 yards and a touchdown as rookie, and he also averaged 22.4 yards on 13 kickoff returns that season. Moore battled injuries throughout his career, playing in 39 out of a possible 51 games in three seasons with the Cardinals.
The Cardinals traded Moore to the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 2024 season, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. He then signed with the Vikings as a free agent before the start of last season, but again suffered a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game.
Moore was born in New Albany and played at New Albany High School as well as Trinity High School in Louisville.
