Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has died. He was 25. On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Floyd County, Ind., coroner confirmed to The New York Times that Moore’s death was under investigation, and that an autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22.
New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey told multiple local media outlets, including WHAS, WAVE and the Minnesota Star Tribune, that Moore died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that his body was found on Saturday in a garage in New Albany, Ind., the town where he was born and raised.
Moore spent his college football years at Purdue University before being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
He spent three years with the Cardinals before sustaining multiple serious knee injuries. In 2024, Moore was traded to the Atlanta Falcons and was later placed on the team’s injured reserve following a knee injury in training camp.
Moore then signed with the Vikings before the 2025 season, but tore his ACL during the team’s first preseason game and was placed on injured reserve.
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” his college coach, Jeff Brohm, wrote in a statement shared on X on Saturday. “The ultimate competitor that wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone.”
“A great teammate that would come through in any situation,” Brohm continued. “We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with.”
He added: “We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family, we love him very much.”
