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Vikings WR Rondale Moore dies at 25
Former Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore died on Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore died Saturday in southern Indiana, the team announced . He was 25 years old.
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New Albany police chief Todd Bailey told reporters Moore was found in a garage with a gunshot wound suspected to be self-inflicted .
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, released a statement fondly remembering his former player.
"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach," Brohm said in his 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."
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell released his own statement later :
I am devastated by the news of Rondale's death. 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.
Moore was in his fifth year in the NFL, but he'll be remembered more for the heights he reached in college with the Boilermakers.
It's not hyperbolizing to say he found instant stardom as a freshman. A 5-foot-7 weapon, Moore scored a 32-yard receiving touchdown and a 76-yard rushing touchdown in his first quarter of college action. He finished the game with 313 all-purpose yards, a program record.
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Moore went on to post 2,048 all-purpose yards in 2018, earning him consensus All-American honors, the Paul Hornung Award for college football's most versatile player, the Paul Warfield Trophy for the nation's top wide receiver, the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award.
Injuries marred the rest of his college career, as he played a combined seven games in his sophomore and junior year. Still, his talent was obvious enough that he generated significant interest as an NFL prospect.
The Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the second round, 49th overall in 2021, but injuries remained a persistent problem throughout his professional career. He stayed with Arizona for three seasons, posting 1,201 career receiving yards, then was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for QB Desmond Ridder .
Moore never played another game, as he missed the entire 2024 season with a knee injury. He joined the Vikings the next season on a one-year contract, but suffered another season-ending knee injury in preseason.
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NFL players mourn Rondale Moore
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