Chiefs’ Marquise Brown reveals receiving a message from Rondale Moore hours before his death: ‘It’s not possible’

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The NFL community continues to mourn the death of wide receiver Rondale Moore, who was found dead in his Indiana home Saturday night, officials said.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was among those who couldn’t believe the news, revealing that he had just spoken to Moore just hours before he was discovered with an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound in a garage.

As tributes to Moore poured in on social media, Brown said he received a message from his fellow receiver earlier Saturday.

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“Brother, no way brother, you just sent me a message. [a] A few hours ago,” Brown wrote on X. Brown posted another tweet that read, “You weren’t alone bro… I told you I know how you feel.”

Brown also reposted tributes from other NFL players such as Raheem Mostert, Elijah Moore, Jamal Adams and others.

He even shared a text thread he had with Moore, where 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 RECEIVER RONDALE MOORE DEATH AT AGE 25

“Praying for you brother,” Brown wrote to Moore with a praying hands emoji, “sometimes in life when things don’t go as planned, as frustrating as it is, always remember that God is in control, His plan will always prevail. All we can do is trust Him and always remember that someone has it worse. I’m here if you ever need to talk bro, I know how I feel like it sucks, but knowing you, you’re ready for this, don’t give up[armemojiflexed”[flexedarmemoji”

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.

Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin also confirmed Moore’s death. He said the autopsy would be carried out on Sunday.

Moore entered the NFL as a pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft after starring at Purdue. He played three seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. However, a season-ending injury cut short his time 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 did not allow him a chance to make the roster for that season.

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“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 cared 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 while injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken that he will not continue to live his NFL dream and not all of us will have the opportunity to see him flourish.”

Ryan Gaydos of News and the News contributed to this report.

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