Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was gutted after hearing about the death of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore. The 25-year-old was found dead on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana.
As per reports from the Floyd County Coroner and New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey, Moore was found in a garage in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana. Authorities have said that the preliminary investigation hints towards a suspected self-inflicted g*nsh*t wound. An autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2025, to confirm the official cause of death.
Maxx Crosby’s Poignant Incident With Rondale Moore
Crosby played college football at Eastern Michigan. The Raiders DE posted a clip only a while later to reveal a wholesome incident with the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver.
“I hate to be doing this – rest in peace Rondale Moore,” Crosby said. “It sucks having to do this after he’s not here. I know it’s so fresh but it’s just on my mind.”
“I played this man in college – we went to Purdue and played the Boilermakers on their field and I remember playing against Rondale Moore and I was like: that’s the coldest dude I’ve ever been on the field with up to that point. He was like Tyreek Hill in college.“
“I still might have the messages, I was sending to [ex-Raiders GM] Mike Mayock the next year [when] he went to the draft: we need Rondale Moore, this dude is Tyreek Hill.”
“But God, bro. Check on your people – too much hate in this world. Stay positive, it’s unbelievable, I’m sending out prayers to his whole family and everybody going through it. “
Rondale Moore’s College Career
As a true freshman at Purdue in 2018, Moore played all 13 games (making 10 starts) and delivered one of the most dynamic seasons in school history. He hauled in 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns, added 21 carries for 213 yards and two more scores, returned 33 kickoffs for 662 yards, and brought back 12 punts for 82 yards.
His 2,215 all-purpose yards set a program record, earning him Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year, and the Paul Hornung Award.
In 2019, injuries limited him to four starts, but he still managed 29 receptions for 387 yards and two touchdowns, along with nine kickoff returns for 151 yards, while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Moore appeared in just three games during the pandemic-affected 2020 season before injuries and an opt-out ended his year. He concluded his collegiate career with 178 receptions for 1,915 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Rondale Moore’s NFL Career
Moore was selected 49th overall in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and signed his four-year rookie deal on June 9, 2021.
During his rookie campaign in 2021, he played 14 games, recording 54 catches for 435 yards (8.1 average, 77-yard long) and one touchdown. He also rushed 18 times for 76 yards, returned 13 kickoffs for 291 yards (22.4 average), and handled 21 punt returns for 171 yards (8.1 average), losing one of his three fumbles.
In 2022, Moore suited up for eight games, totaling 41 receptions for 414 yards (10.1 average, 38 long) and one touchdown, while adding six carries for minus-five yards and minimal return duties.
He played all 17 games in 2023, setting a career high in appearances, and finished with 40 catches for 352 yards (8.8 average, 48 long) and one score. He contributed 28 rush attempts for 178 yards (6.4 average, 45 long) and a touchdown, along with one punt return for 11 yards.
After being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024 in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder, Moore missed the entire season due to a knee injury suffered in training camp.
