ESPN had a massive mess-up when announcing the tragic Rondale Moore death news.
Before we get into the colossal screw-up that is the company of ESPN, if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. While it does appear Rondale Moore did have some friends, like Hollywood Brown, reaching out to him, you never truly know what someone is going through mentally.
Everything around this situation is incredibly sad, and the focus should remain on the human and athlete that Rondale Moore was. However, that does not mean we should avoid holding a company like ESPN accountable for dropping the ball.
ESPN Had a MASSIVE Mess-Up Announcing Rondale Moore Death
When announcing the death of Rondale Moore on ESPN, the highly respected Scott Van Pelt was on air to share the tragic news. This is not a criticism of Van Pelt. Rather, the company that employs him put SVP in a position to look like a complete fool.
While Scott Van Pelt was breaking the news, the production put up a photo of the Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver. Unfortunately, the photo was not of Rondale Moore.
The Minnesota Vikings player pictured is Myles Price, who is very much alive. There are several reasons why the mistake could have happened, but ultimately, it is not a mistake that should have ever happened. It is an incredibly disrespectful mistake while discussing the tragic death of a player who was already incredibly disrespected throughout his NFL career.
To take it a step further, Josina Anderson, an NFL “insider,” made the same mistake in a tweet she sent out. At the end of the day, what is there to really do? I think (or hope) we all know how low the reputation of ESPN and other sports networks has fallen. Unfortunately, there are rarely consequences for their actions, as fans continue to tune in, cite them as a credible source, and allow them to make money.
Rondale Moore’s Tragic Passing
At 25 years old, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore has unfortunately passed away. He was found in an Indiana garage with what is suspected to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore was as talented a wide receiver as the NFL has seen enter the league in recent years. However, due to playing for the Arizona Cardinals and then experiencing several injuries, he was unable to continue the same success he saw in college.
Moore played at Purdue for Jeff Brohm, who is currently the coach at Louisville. Even as a freshman, Moore was as talented as could be, totaling 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named a first-team All-American.
Brohm released the following statement Saturday night:
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor who wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale; we loved his smile and his competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family. We love him very much.”
We extend our condolences to Moore’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches. We once again would like to mention calling 988 in order to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, if you or someone you know is struggling. One phone call can mean the difference between life and death.
