NFL wide receiver, Louisville area stand out Rondale Moore dies at 25

RIGHT NOW ON WLKY. THIS IS BREAKING NEWS. NFL STANDOUT AND FORMER TRINITY AND PURDUE WIDE RECEIVER RONDALE MOORE HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 25. A THREE SPORT ATHLETE AT NEW ALBANY, MOORE LATER HELPED LEAD TRINITY TO THE 2016 CLASS AA FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, THE 2017 GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WENT ON TO BECOME AN ALL-AMERICAN AT PURDUE UNDER THEN HEAD COACH JEFF BROHM. MOORE WAS DRAFTED IN 2021 AND WAS MOST RECENTLY SIGNED TO THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS. NEW ALBANY POLICE CHIEF TODD BAILEY SAYS OFFICERS ARE INVESTIGATING A HOME ON AIKEN AVENUE AFTER MOORE WAS FOUND DEAD IN THAT HOME’S GARAGE, WITH WHAT INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE IS A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND. THE FLOYD COUNTY CORONER SAYS AN AUTOPSY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED. WE SPOKE TO MOORE’S FORMER HEAD COACH, JEFF BROHM, WHO SAID, QUOTE, RONDALE MOORE WAS A COMPLETE JOY TO COACH THE ULTIMATE COMPETITOR THAT WOULD NEVER BACK DOWN TO ANY CHALLENGE. RONDALE HAD 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. AND A HEARTBREAKING STATEMENT POSTED BY MOORE’S FORMER TEAMMATE MARQUISE BROWN. HE SAID, QUOTE, BRO, AIN’T NO WAY BROTHER. YOU JUST MESSAGED ME A FEW HOURS AGO WITH A CRYING EMOJI. IN THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS ALSO POSTED A STATEMENT A SHORT TIME AGO. IT READS, QUOTE, WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF RONDALE MOORE. WHILE WE ARE WORKING TO UNDERSTAND THE FACTS, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH RHONDA’S FAMILY TO OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES AND THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH OUR PLAYERS, COACHES AND STAFF AND WILL MAKE COUNSELING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN NEED. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS DEVASTATING TIME. NOW, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING, PLEASE REACH OUT

Updated: 9:22 PM EST Feb 21, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Updated: 9:22 PM EST Feb 21, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Rondale Moore, 25, died Saturday. He was 25.New Albany Police Department Chief Todd Bailey said officers are conducting a death investigation at a home in the 1600 block of Ekin Avenue.According to investigators, Moore was found dead in a garage at the property from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.Bailey said the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details will be released at this time. The coroner said an autopsy has been scheduled.A look at Moore's careerA three-sport athlete in high school, Moore spent his playing days at New Albany High School, where he helped guide the Bulldogs to a basketball state championship before he transferred to Trinity and helped the Shamrocks win the 2016 Class 6A football state title. After high school, the 2017 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and Paul Hornung Award recipient went on to play for another Trinity alum, then head coach Jeff Brohm at Purdue. Brohm released a statement to WLKY following Moore's death, "Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. 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!!!" An All-American at Purdue, Moore played a significant role in the Boilermakers' win over Ohio State, which helped put Brohm on the college football coaching map. Moore had 12 receptions for 170 yards (both season-highs) and two touchdowns against the No. 2 Buckeyes on October 20th, 2018. Drafted by Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore played three seasons for the Cardinals (2021-23). He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, but missed the entire 2024 season due to an injury during training camp. In 2025, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Moore suffered multiple injuries in the NFL, the most recent a season-ending knee injury during the Vikings' 2025 preseason opener. TributesTributes have begun to pour in following Moore's death. Crisis HotlineIf you or someone you know is struggling, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

NEW ALBANY, Ind. —

Rondale Moore, 25, died Saturday. He was 25.

New Albany Police Department Chief Todd Bailey said officers are conducting a death investigation at a home in the 1600 block of Ekin Avenue.

According to investigators, Moore was found dead in a garage at the property from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Bailey said the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details will be released at this time.

The coroner said an autopsy has been scheduled.

A look at Moore's career

A three-sport athlete in high school, Moore spent his playing days at New Albany High School, where he helped guide the Bulldogs to a basketball state championship before he transferred to Trinity and helped the Shamrocks win the 2016 Class 6A football state title.

After high school, the 2017 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and Paul Hornung Award recipient went on to play for another Trinity alum, then head coach Jeff Brohm at Purdue.

Brohm released a statement to WLKY following Moore's death, "Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. 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!!!"

An All-American at Purdue, Moore played a significant role in the Boilermakers' win over Ohio State, which helped put Brohm on the college football coaching map. Moore had 12 receptions for 170 yards (both season-highs) and two touchdowns against the No. 2 Buckeyes on October 20th, 2018.

Drafted by Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore played three seasons for the Cardinals (2021-23). He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, but missed the entire 2024 season due to an injury during training camp. In 2025, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Moore suffered multiple injuries in the NFL, the most recent a season-ending knee injury during the Vikings' 2025 preseason opener.