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The NFL community continues to mourn the death of wide receiver Rondale Moore, who was found dead at his Indiana home Saturday evening, officials said.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was among those who couldn’t believe the news, and he revealed that he had just spoken with Moore just hours before he was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a garage.
As tributes poured in on social media for Moore, Brown said he received a message from his fellow receiver earlier Saturday.
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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
“Brother, it’s not possible, brother, you just sent me a message [a] a few hours ago,” Brown wrote on X. Brown posted another tweet saying, “You weren’t alone bro…I told you I knew how you felt.”
Brown also reposted tributes from other NFL players like Raheem Mostert, Elijah Moore, Jamal Adams and others.
He even shared a thread he had with Moore, in which he shared words of encouragement after the receiver suffered another season-ending injury. He had dealt with one in 2024, and during the Minnesota Vikings’ first preseason game of 2025, Moore tore his ACL on August 9, 2025.
NFL WIDE RECEIVER RONDALE MOORE DEAD AT 25
“Praying for your brother,” Brown wrote to Moore with a praying hands emoji, “sometimes in life when things don’t go as planned, as frustrating as it may be, you always have to remember that God is in control, His plan will always prevail. All we can do is trust in Him and always remind ourselves that someone has it worse. I’m here if you ever need to talk, brother, I know how much it sucks, but knowing you, you built for that, don’t give up. [flexed arm emoji.”
New Albany police chief Todd Bailey broke the news that Moore was found in a garage with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. The death remains under investigation.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 15, 2023. (Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports)
Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin also confirmed Moore’s death. He said an autopsy would take place on Sunday.
Moore entered the NFL as an Arizona Cardinals pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after starring at Purdue. He played three seasons with the Cardinals before he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. However, a season-ending injury cut his time short in Atlanta.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the Cardinals said in a statement.
He would join the Vikings before the start of last season, but that injury in August didn’t allow him to get a shot at making the roster for that season.
Chiefs receiver Hollywood Brown revealed Rondale Moore messaged him just hours before his death on Saturday night. (GETTY)
“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,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “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.”
