Rondale Moore, a dynamic wide receiver who starred at Purdue and played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, has died. He was 25.
The Floyd County Coroner’s Office in Indiana confirmed Moore’s death Saturday night, according to multiple reports including WLKY-TV in Louisville.
According to New Albany police chief Todd Bailey—
Rondale Moore (age 25) was found deceased with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound in the garage of a property in New Albany, Indiana.
An investigation is underway. https://t.co/xydJyfDw1J
— Ahmad Hicks (@AhmadHicksTV) February 22, 2026
Moore, a native of New Albany, Indiana, was a multi-sport standout in high school. He helped New Albany High School win a basketball state championship before transferring to Louisville’s Trinity High School, where he contributed to the Shamrocks’ 2016 Class 6A football state title. He earned 2017 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and Paul Hornung Award honors.
At Purdue, Moore burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2018 under coach Jeff Brohm — a Trinity alum — earning consensus All-American recognition and the Paul Warfield Trophy as the nation’s top wide receiver. He amassed 1,258 receiving yards, 213 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns that season, highlighted by a standout performance against No. 2 Ohio State with 12 receptions for 170 yards and two scores.
Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round (No. 49 overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore spent his first three seasons in Arizona, posting his most productive NFL campaign in 2023 with 530 total offensive yards and two touchdowns. Injuries hampered his career, including multiple setbacks during his time with the Cardinals.
He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the 2024 season but missed the entire year due to a knee injury suffered in training camp. Moore signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2025, only to suffer another season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener.
Brohm, now head coach at Louisville, released a statement expressing profound grief.
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” Brohm said. “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!!!”
The Vikings and other teams expressed condolences as the NFL community mourned the loss of the versatile playmaker known for his explosive speed and versatility. Moore was born June 9, 2000.
