Chiefs' Hollywood Brown Reveals Rondale Moore Contacted Him Hours Before His Passing at 25

He had just reached out to his friend from the Arizona Cardinals. And then, hours later, everything changed.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is speaking out after the shocking death of his close buddy and former teammate Rondale Moore, who passed away on February 21, 2026, at just 25 years old.

And his messages are a wake-up call to everyone.

A Heartbreaking Situation No One Saw Coming

The news of Moore's passing hit fast last Saturday, and Brown's reaction was raw.

On the same day, he took to X with a post that stunned fans. "Bro ain't no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago 😢 [sic]," he wrote in disbelief.

Minutes later, he followed up with another emotional message:

"You wasn't alone bro.. I told you I know how you feel [sic]."

And then came the post that made everything even heavier.

The Screenshot

Just after midnight on February 22, Brown shared a screenshot of text messages between him and Moore from months earlier.

The caption of this post read, "I love you bro 🙏🏿 I always wanted to speak life into you fam [sic]."

But the text messages dated back to July and August of last year. In one exchange, Moore had checked in on Brown after he injured his Achilles heel.

But a few words from Brown in August stood out:

"Praying for you brother 🙏 sometimes in life when stuff don't go as planned as frustrating as it may be have to always remember God is in control, his plan will always prevail all we can do is trust him and always remember someone has it worse."

Clearly, Brown truly cared long after they stopped being teammates. He continued:

"I'm here if you ever need to talk bro I know how [expletive] feel it [expletive] dawg but knowing you , you built for this don't give up 💪🏾 [sic]."

At the time, it may have just seemed like one friend lifting another. Now, it feels like something much deeper.

The Thing Most People Don't Get

There was another layer to this story that made fans pause.

According to People, Moore had also responded to a message Brown posted on his Instagram Stories the very same day he died.

In that story, Brown wrote, "Ppl really believe if you got money you don't go through anything and have no problems, that [expletive] be really crazy to me like dam god forbid a [expletive] going through it bout anything [sic]."

He later reshared it publicly and added, "I posted this to my [close friends] cause I know me and all my bros go through the same stuff, it's just crazy yo ppl don't realize this until someone gone [sic]."

That line suggested that whatever Moore may have been facing was not visible from the outside. Fame, contracts, and highlight reels do not shield anyone from private struggles.

It is the kind of timing that leaves everyone asking the same question: what was really going on?

For now, answers remain limited.

Moore's cause of death is still under investigation, according to Floyd County, Indiana, coroner Matthew Tomlin. Officials have not released further details beyond their first findings.

What Happened to Rondale Moore?

Moore was found dead Saturday, February 21, 2026, in New Albany, Indiana. He was only 25 years old and had his whole career ahead of him.

What happened in his home is still tough to understand, especially looking at one photo on his last Instagram post from three days earlier.

According to The Athletic, police were called to a property in the city, where Moore was discovered inside the garage. The Floyd County coroner later confirmed his death.

Authorities said he died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. But an autopsy is scheduled as the investigation continues.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey made it clear that details remain limited. "Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no additional information will be released at this time," Bailey said.

For many, the facts are hard to absorb. Just months ago, he was fighting for another shot on the field.

Now, the focus has shifted from football highlights to heartbreak.

A Career Full of Promise

Before the NFL, Moore was a star at Purdue University. He dazzled college football fans with his speed, sharp cuts, and fearless style of play.

That talent led to him being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Over three seasons in Arizona, he showed flashes of the explosive player many believed he would become.

But the game he loved began to take its toll. Multiple serious knee injuries disrupted his momentum. Each setback forced him to start over, again and again.

In 2024, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in what many hoped would be a turning point. Instead, he was placed on the team's injured reserve after suffering another knee injury during training camp.

Still, he kept pushing forward.

A New Beginning Interrupted

Moore signed with the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2025 season, determined to prove he still had more to give. It felt like a clean slate.

Then came another crushing injury.

In the team's first preseason game, he tore his ACL. He was placed on injured reserve and did not return to the facility for the rest of the season.

For a player known for his speed and drive, that setback cut deep. The comeback he had been working toward suddenly slipped out of reach.

And when you look back now, the physical pain may have been only part of the story.

The Post That Now Feels Different

Moore's final Instagram post, shared on February 18, is now drawing attention. The carousel showed him smiling, shopping, relaxing by a pool, and even eating inside a luxury car.

At first glance, it looked like a young athlete enjoying life. But the last slide stood out.

It was a screenshot of lyrics from the song "Go" by EST Gee. The line displayed read, "Sewed up the last eight months, but it change nothing, don't feel no better."

Given the string of injuries and the setbacks he had endured while chasing his dreams, that lyric now feels painfully heavy.

What once seemed like just another music quote now reads like something far more personal due to his struggles.

And those who coached him remember just how fiercely he fought.

The Man Behind the Jersey

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm shared a tribute that revealed the heart behind the athlete.

"Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach," Brohm wrote. "The ultimate competitor that wouldn't back down from any challenge."

He described Moore's work ethic as unmatched and praised him as a teammate who would come through in any situation. "We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with."

Brohm ended with raw emotion, offering his condolences and his prayers to his family after this tragedy.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.