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A.J. Brown (L) and Rondale Moore (R)
A.J. Brown/Instagram; Christian Petersen/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A.J. Brown shared a vulnerable video about mental health days after Rondale Moore's death was announced on Feb. 21
- The Philadelphia Eagles star opened up about his own personal experiences with mental health and shared advice to others who may be going through something similar
- Moore, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, died at age 25
A.J. Brown is opening up about his past while sharing an inspiring message to others about the future.
The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, 28, uploaded a vulnerable video on Instagram about mental health stemming from his own personal experiences just days after the tragic news of Rondale Moore's death at age 25, which was announced on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Brown started his video by highlighting the "brotherhood" within the NFL community, and expressed his condolences to the families of three football players who died within the past year: Marshawn Kneeland of the Dallas Cowboys, Kyren Lacy of the LSU Tigers and Moore of the Minnesota Vikings.
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Rondale Moore (left), Marshawn Kneeland (center), Kyren Lacy (right).
Christian Petersen/Getty; Perry Knotts/Getty; Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
"It's been a tough past year," he began. "A tough week for the NFL community. We are a brotherhood regardless of whatever team we play for. I just wanted to share some light on it really quickly. My love and my condolences go out to Marshawn Kneeland, Kyren Lacy and Rondale Moore's family."
An official cause of Moore's death has not been confirmed by his family at this time, with details still under investigation. A coroner for Floyd County, Ind. told The New York Times that an autopsy was taking place on Feb. 22.
Local media outlets including WHAS, WAVE and the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Moore's cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, citing New Albany's police chief, Todd Bailey.
Despite not getting to know them personally, Brown made clear in his Instagram video that he's been "a fan" of the players' performances from afar. Then, he dove deeper into his personal experiences with mental health and why it's a priority, especially as a player in the NFL.
"I myself represent a mental health advocate," he said in the video. "I take pride in my mental health, something that I practice each and every day. Guys, I want you all to understand in the NFL community, man, things aren't always going to go your way."
"You may not get everything you desire. Sometimes this game is not friendly," the Eagles star continued. "People are going to say nasty things about you. Call you this, call you that — but none of those things in that moment define you."
"But don't take the easy way out. I once thought that was the way," he shared. "I don't even know how old I was. I was 23 years old. Twenty-three years old and I thought the same thing. I thought the same thing. Man, I have so much life ahead of me."
Brown went on to detail the people he loves, stressing that there's "so much more" to life than football.
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A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2025.
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"I have so many family members who love me," he said. "I've accomplished so much, I have a beautiful family... I have two kids, I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old. Beautiful family, man, so much life is ahead of you. God has so much in store for you."
"So much more than just a game of football, guys — and I'm only talking like this because we a community and we care about each other," the NFL star added. "We have to care about each other, but in this world, bro, nobody cares about you, bro. Especially as a man, nobody cares about you."
Brown stressed the importance of prioritizing "what makes you happy," despite what others may think.
"Stay in it bro, stay in that fight, bro," he said. "You gonna learn that nobody out here is against you. It's you versus you and it all starts here. It all starts right here, dog. Man, be strong, bro, do whatever you need to do. Get on your phone. Record videos of yourself, talking to yourself."
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A.J. Brown with his son and daughter of the Eagles won the 2025 Super Bowl.
Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for FOX/Shutterstock
"Say affirmations around your crib, stick sticking notes, do whatever you need to do," Brown suggested.
"Talk to yourself, bro. I don't care. Talk in third person to yourself. We do not act that way. We do this, we move this way," he said. "I am love, I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
The Super Bowl winner shared a powerful reminder about staying confident in yourself, no matter what others say.
"I don't care if people try to call you crazy. Let them call you crazy. But you know you good, you solid up here," he said, pointing to his brain. "Do whatever you need to do to make sure you're right, bro, because the world's gonna keep on going."
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Rondale Moore of the Minnesota Vikings in August 2025.
Kara Durrette/Getty
"Nobody cares. Nobody cares, bro. Make sure you good," the wide receiver stressed. "You a king for a reason. You are made in the image and likeness of god, your father. You a king, bro. Stay locked in, bro. We more than this football game, bro."
Reflecting on perspective and purpose beyond the moment, Brown said: "Trust me, bro. We are human beings, bro, with so much more out there to accomplish, bro. This is just one aspect of our lives and we're gonna look back on and we're gonna be like, man it was fun. Yes, it is fun. Appreciate the little things. Be where your feet are. Don't end it like that, bro."
Moore spent his college football years at Purdue University before being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
He spent three years with the Cardinals before sustaining multiple serious knee injuries. In 2024, Moore was traded to the Atlanta Falcons and was later placed on the team's injured reserve following a knee injury in training camp.
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Rondale Moore #4 of the Arizona Cardinals in December 2023.
Cooper Neill/Getty
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Moore then signed with the Vikings before the 2025 season, but tore his ACL during the team's first preseason game and was placed on injured reserve.
In a statement, the NFL team said, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore."
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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