As the NFL world mourned the loss of another young player in Rondale Moore, former tackle Breiden Fehoko pointed the finger at the league’s teams.
On Saturday night it emerged that Moore had passed away at the age of 25. The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver was found in his garage with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police chief Todd Bailey said.
As touching tributes to Moore flooded in, Fehoko, who retired from the NFL in November, called out teams as he accused them of not doing enough to support the mental health and wellbeing of their players.
‘Imma keep it a stack.. I don’t care, I’m retired I’ll say what I want,’ the former Chargers star posted on X.
‘These NFL teams come out here and post these mental health awareness posts talking about they care about players “don’t be afraid to reach out” etc. All they care about is what you bring to the table when it’s game day.’
He added: ‘I’ll start believing they care about player health when the Owner, GM, & head coach treat everyone on that roster the same from the franchise QB to the janitor.
Former tackle Breiden Fehoko suggested NFL teams are not supporting players’ wellbeing
Wide receiver Rondale Moore died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound
‘Until then don’t tell me they care cause they posted some hotline number when shit like this happens. I’m here for any of my brothers that just wanna talk and shoot the shit. I love y’all. I care about y’all. I’m here for y’all.’
Fehoko, who won a national championship with LSU in 2020, announced his retirement from football back in November at the age of 29.
He had been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers before the start of the 2025 season. After first signing with the team in 2023 he failed to make an NFL appearance.
Prior to his stint in Pittsburgh, the Hawaii-born defender spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
‘Sometimes in life you just get a sense of fulfillment & for me it’s now. 29 years old and I couldn’t be happier with the journey of where this game has taken me,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘To my family you guys never let me quit and more importantly never let me stop believing in myself. I’m thankful for every coach, teammate, trainer, opponent, agent, etc. because you guys made me a better version of myself every time I stepped on that football field.’
After signing with the Steelers in 2023 he failed to appear that season while being waived and re-signed to the practice squad twice. The same happened in 2024, yet just two weeks after re-signing again in August of this year he was released once more by Pittsburgh.
‘I’m not a fan of long novels but I’m glad to say I’m retiring from this great sport of football,’ he concluded his retirement post, which was accompanied by a series of photos from his time in college and the NFL.
Fehoko announced his retirement in November after being released by the Steelers
Tributes flooded in for the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver after his death at the age of just 25
‘I’m so blessed to have a head start in life & I look forward to my next chapter with my family. I’ll miss the team dinners, bus rides, training camps, and everything in between. I won’t miss conditioning. I love Yall.’
Meanwhile, players from across the league shared poignant messages remembering Moore as the news of his death rocked the NFL.
‘Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,’ NFL legend JJ Watt, who ended his career with the Cardinals, posted on X. ‘There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in Peace Rondale.’
Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard, meanwhile, wrote: ‘Bro what in the world… Cmon Rondale you was gon comeback n prove em wrong… RIP.’
Super Bowl champion Isaiah Rodgers Sr posted a prayer emoji, while Ray-Ray McCloud, who played alongside Moore on the Falcons, wrote ‘Mannnn’ alongside a number of crying emojis.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.