LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Rondale Moore, the speedy former Arizona Cardinals draft pick turned Minnesota Vikings player, died on February 21, 2026, at age 25. Investigators in Floyd County, Indiana, discovered his body in a garage and suspect a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause, though officials have not yet released an official determination.

Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed Moore’s death to the Louisville Courier Journal. He said an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday, February 22, with the cause still under investigation. Tomlin added there is no current threat to the public.

WLKY reported that authorities believed the wound was self-inflicted. No further details on the circumstances emerged as of Saturday.

Moore carved out a promising NFL career despite injuries. The Indiana native starred at Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky, then exploded at Purdue University as a freshman consensus All-American. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 49th overall.

He played three seasons in Arizona, hauling in 114 catches for 1,368 yards and five touchdowns. A 2024 trade sent him to the Atlanta Falcons. He landed with the Vikings in 2025, appearing in six games for 19 catches and 281 yards before injuries limited him again.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. “I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death,” O’Connell wrote. “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.”

Fans and former teammates flooded social media with memories. Cardinals fans recalled his 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the draft combine, a mark that highlighted his rare speed. Purdue alumni celebrated his Big Ten freshman records for receptions and yards.

Moore’s last Instagram post appeared two days before news of his death surfaced. The carousel opened with him in a car driver’s seat, clutching a large white bag emblazoned with “Work in Progress.” Other images showed workout clips and family moments. He captioned it with motivational notes on perseverance.

Details on Moore’s final days remain scarce. Friends described him as battling injuries that stalled his momentum. The 2025 season marked his third team in as many years after the Falcons trade.

Tributes continued to roll in. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf issued a statement praising Moore’s character. “Rondale brought joy to everyone around him,” Wilf said. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

Authorities have not commented on any note or prior mental health indicators. The NFL Players Association offered counseling resources to current and former players in the wake of the news.

Moore’s death stunned the football world. At 25, he appeared ready for a breakout if healthy. Now, questions swirl around what drove him to this point as the autopsy results loom.