Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was in shock when he learned Rondale Moore had died. Just hours earlier, the two had spoken about life and football.
Pittsshared his reaction on Instagram Stories, posting a photo of Moore with a short message.
Kyle Pitts is so heatbroken over Rondale Moore.
Pitts checked in on Moore this morning per his IG. pic.twitter.com/TMkNnt23z3
— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) February 22, 2026
“Bruh why… This hurt, bruh,” he wrote, along with a broken heart and tearful emoji. In another post, he added, “We just talked this morning.”
Moore died on Feb. 21, 2026. He was 25. The news hit many around the league hard, including Pitts, who had grown close to him during their time together in Atlanta.
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) practices before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) practices before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The two bonded after Atlanta traded for Moore from Arizona in March 2024. Pitts praised Moore’s explosiveness and work ethic, calling him “a playmaker” and saying they pushed each other daily in practice. Their friendship deepened during shared rehab sessions. Pitts was recovering from an MCL injury, while Moore dealt with recurring hamstring issues.
Moore described Pitts as ‘like a brother,’ cherishing the off-field moments that strengthened their bond, including late-night video games, team dinners, and long conversations.
Moore had shared memories of his Big Ten battles, including his standout freshman year in 2018 with 1,258 receiving yards and 12 TDs that helped him finish his Purdue career with 1,915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns overall. Those tales inspired Pitts.
Details Emerge on Moore’s Sudden Passing
New Albany Police Chief Todd Baileytold reporters “Officers are conducting a death investigation at a home in the 1600 block of Ekin Avenue.” He added “Moore was found dead in a garage at the property from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Bailey claimed that “the investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details will be released at this time.”
Emergency responders arrived after a 911 call around 5:27 p.m. and transported Moore to Baptist Health Floyd, where he was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m.
Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin confirmed the death and stated, “An autopsy has been scheduled” (for February 22). He assured there was “no threat to the public” and that an autopsy would help determine the official cause.
The NFL Players Association shared mental health resources and urged players, staff, and fans to reach out for help when needed. It’s a reminder of the heavy pressures athletes deal with off the field, like repeated injuries and career uncertainty.