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Former Purdue standout and NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore died Saturday at age 25.
Police in Moore’s hometown of New Albany, Indiana, told The Associated Press they found him in his garage with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation is still ongoing. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed Moore’s death and said an autopsy would be performed Sunday.
After the news broke, the Vikings released a statement.
We are deeply saddened by the death of Rondale Moore. We spoke with Rondale’s family as we worked to understand the facts and offered our condolences and full support to the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been engaging with players, coaches and staff and will provide counseling and emotional support resources to anyone who needs help. Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time.
Moore’s career has been derailed by injuries over the past two seasons. He missed all of 2024 after dislocating his right knee while playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
Arizona selected him in the second round in 2021. Moore started 23 games over three seasons with the Cardinals. 135 passes for 1,201 yards And three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 52 times for 249 yards and another score. The Cardinals used him as a versatile weapon early in his career.
Most recently, he worked in Minnesota.
Moore participated in the Vikings’ 2025 offseason program and made it through training camp before suffering another season-ending knee injury (this time to his left knee) while returning a punt in the preseason opener on Aug. 9.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell released a statement of his own.
I was shocked to hear of Rondale’s death. Although Lawndale only had a brief stint as a member of the Vikings, he was someone we knew well and cared deeply about. He was a humble, soft-spoken, respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing several adversities due to injuries throughout his career.
“We are all heartbroken that he will not continue to live out his NFL dreams,” O’Connell added. “We are all heartbroken that we will not have the opportunity to watch him grow.” “Our prayers are with Lawndale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all learn this tragic news.”
The Cardinals said in a statement they were “completely shocked and heartbroken.” “Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the club said on social media.
Former Cardinals teammate JJ Watt posted on social media: “I can’t even fathom or process this. There’s no way. It’s too fast. It’s too special. I have too much to give. Rest in peace Rondale.”
Moore grew up in New Albany, just across the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky. He burst onto the collegiate scene as a freshman at Purdue University in 2018, earning first-team All-American honors and winning the Paul Hornung Award given to the nation’s most versatile player.
That season alone showed what made him special as a versatile threat.
In three seasons with the Boilermakers, Moore achieved tremendous results. 1,915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Add 248 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground.
Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, issued the following statement: “Londale Moore was an absolute pleasure to coach. A top competitor who never backed down from any challenge. Lawndale had a work ethic like no other. He was a great teammate who could get through any situation. We all loved Lawndale, and we loved his smile and competitiveness that always made him want to please everyone he came in contact with. We loved Lawndale and him. We give all our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
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