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NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore died on Saturday at the age of 25, his former college coach, Jeff Brohm, has confirmed.
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” Brohm, who worked with Moore at Purdue, said in a statement. “The ultimate competitor that wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, 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, we love him very much.”
Moore was popular in the locker room, and several of his former teammates paid tribute to him on social media on Saturday.
“Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,” wrote three-time defensive player of the year JJ Watt, who played alongside Moore in Arizona. “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in Peace Rondale.”
Police in Moore’s home town of New Albany, Indiana, told WHAS they believe the player took his own life, although his death remains under investigation.
Moore was born five weeks premature and went on to become a standout in basketball, track and football in high school before winning a football scholarship to Purdue.
“They say premature babies are the strongest,” his cousin Gino Rowen said, “because they come out having to fight.”
In his first year with Purdue, which he chose over Texas, he won the Paul Hornung Award, given to college football’s most versatile player. He impressed NFL scouts with his speed, versatility and work ethic despite his small stature: he was listed at 5ft 7in and 181 lbs.
“I knew the odds weren’t in my favor, as far as height goes,” Moore said while still at Purdue.
In 2019, Brohm said that Moore was motivated by his desire to help his family, in particular his mother, Quincy Ricketts.
“He wants to be the guy in his family that makes it,” Brohm said. “Because of that, he’s very driven. He’s not your typical youngster who just entered college.”
Moore was drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. In his second career start he caught a 77-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray but struggled with injuries in his next two seasons with the Cardinals. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 but was again sidelined through injury. He signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 and missed the entire season after suffering a second serious knee injury in two years.
“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career.
“We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.”
