Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has been declared dead in Indiana after being discovered by local police in a garage.
The 25-year-old New Albany, Indiana native was found with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, New Albany police chief Todd Bailey said in a statement.
‘The New Albany Police Department is conducting a death investigation at 1611 Ekin Av in New Albany,’ read the statement. ‘Rondale Moore (age 25) was found deceased in the garage of the property of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
‘The New Albany Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation no additional information will be released at this time.’
The Floyd County Coroner said an autopsy has been scheduled.
Moore’s passing is the second sudden death to rock the NFL this season following Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who shot himself in the head in after evading Texas police on November 6. Kneeland sent his family a group text saying ‘goodbye’ during his police chase, according to 911 dispatchers in Texas.
Vikings star Rondale Moore has been declared dead in Indiana, according to multiple reports
Moore graduated from Purdue in 2020, completing a degree in selling and sales management while earning an impressive 3.5 GPA
Kansas City Chiefs star Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown said he was in touch with Moore just hours before his death.
‘Bro ain’t no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago,’ the Chiefs receiver posted on social media. ‘You wasn’t alone bro.. I told you I know how you feel.’
Brown and Moore were teammates at the Arizona Cardinals between 2022 and 2023.
Moore’s death has sent shockwaves across football, where fans, players and coaches are all struggling with the tragedy.
‘Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,’ Moore’s college coach, Purdue’s Jeff Brohm, said in a statement. ‘The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone.
‘A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much!!!’
A young Rondale Moore is pictured alongside his mother, Quincy Ricketts, in this photo
Rondale Moore (pictured) was a ‘complete joy to coach’ according to Purdue’s Jeff Brohm
Retired NFL star and current TV analyst JJ Watt also reacted on X, writing he ‘can’t even begin to fathom or process this.’
‘There’s just no way,’ Watt added. ‘Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give.
‘Rest in Peace Rondale.’
Moore was the 2017 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year at Louisville’s trinity high school, where he became one of the most coveted recruits in the country.
The diminutive wideout stood just 5ft7, but still succeeded at Purdue, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year honors in 2018. Moore graduated from Purdue in 2020, completing a degree in selling and sales management while earning an impressive 3.5 GPA.
In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals picked Moore in the second round of the NFL Draft. He would go on to play for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 before signing a one-year, $2 million