The NFL community is mourning the tragic loss of Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore, who passed away on Saturday night. The Floyd County Coroner’s Office in Indiana confirmed Moore's death, with New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey reporting it as a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Moore, a native of Indiana, made a name for himself at Purdue before being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite showing promise, injuries plagued his career.
He spent his final season with Arizona on injured reserve in 2023, was traded to Atlanta in 2024, but missed that season due to injury as well. After signing with the Vikings, Moore again found himself on injured reserve.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death. Though his time with the Vikings was brief, he made a lasting impression.
Rondale was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man, proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined and resilient, battling through adversity.
We are heartbroken that he won’t continue his NFL journey. My thoughts are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches as we navigate this tragic loss.”
During his tenure in Arizona, Moore formed a bond with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who now plays for the Chiefs. Brown took to social media to express his grief, sharing that Moore had reached out to him just hours before his passing.
“Bro ain’t no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago,” Brown wrote, accompanied by a tearful emoji. He further shared his affection, stating, “I love you bro ...
I always wanted to speak life into you fam,” along with a text exchange from when Moore suffered an ACL injury during a Vikings preseason game in August.
The news of Moore’s passing is a sobering reminder of the personal struggles players may face off the field. His talent and spirit will be remembered by those who knew him and the fans who followed his career.