On Saturday February 21 the news came out that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver, Rondale Moore was found dead in his garage aged 25.
An investigation is currently being conducted by the New Albany Police Department after Moore was found with what is currently suspected to be a self-inflicted gun wound.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell released a statement in the aftermath of his sudden death, and beyond that voices came from far and wide in the NFL world to pay tribute to Moore.
NFL reporter and television personality, who has spoken at length over the course of his career about mental health and suicide prevention, made a long post talking in detail about the tragic events that transpired with Moore and ways in which other players should seek help from their teammates and others if they are struggling.
Jay Glazer
The NFL lost another teammate wayyyyy too young yesterday in Rondale Moore. Absolutely gutting. Listen, to every athlete out there… I will keep saying this over and over and over again… when you are in pain LEAN INTO YOUR TEAMMATES!!!! They WANT to be there for you. A locker
Jay Glazer Sends Message to NFL Players Amidst Rondale Moore Tragedy
“The NFL lost another teammate wayyyyy too young yesterday in Rondale Moore. Absolutely gutting. Listen, to every athlete out there… I will keep saying this over and over and over again… when you are in pain LEAN INTO YOUR TEAMMATES!!!! They WANT to be there for you. A locker room is absolutely magical!!! It’s such a unique FAMILY.” Glazer posted on X.
“I get hiding the pain because I did for 50 years!!! Had the biggest personality to hide really really bad pain. That pain absolutely fucking sucks!! I get jt. You feel like you don’t want to be a burden to others or others won’t understand. Turned out I was wrong!!
Life changed when I started opening up. It will for you too and most of all… YOUR TEAMMATES WANT TO BE THERE FOR YOU!!!
So if you’re struggling, open up, it’ll only get you closer together. Take THAT plunge… instead of making that other decision. Pleaseeee lean into your teammates.”
Former Teammates Pay Tribute to Rondale Moore
Wide receiver A.J. Green, who spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and overlapped one season with Moore, in the former second round pick’s rookie season, also had some words for the ex-Cardinal.
SleeperBengals
A.J. Green on Rondale Moore, via his Instagram:
“Not my son, not ‘Rondale Green’ man…we talked daily man. FaceTimed weekly…”
“Really wishing you would’ve taken me up on that offer to come and stay with me and the family. I truly meant it.”
“Love you forever lil bro.”
“Not my son, not ‘Rondale Green’ man…we talked daily man. FaceTimed weekly…” Green wrote on Instagram, via the Sleeper Bengals page on X. “Really wishing you would’ve taken me up on that offer to come and stay with me and the family. I truly meant it…Love you forever lil bro.”
Another former teammate, future Hall of Fame defensive end J.J. Watt, also shared some heartfelt words in memory of Moore.
JJ Watt
Can’t even begin to fathom or process this.
There’s just no way.
Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give.
Rest in Peace Rondale.
“Can’t even begin to fathom or process this.” Watt wrote on X. “There’s just no way.”
“Way too soon.
Way too special.
So much left to give.
Rest in Peace Rondale.”