After the tragedy of young Vikings star Rondale Moore, Patriots owner Robert Kraft establishes center at Gillette to protect players’ mental health
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — The heartbreaking death of Rondale Moore, the 25-year-old star on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings, has shaken the entire NFL. The tragedy not only left a void in the locker room, but also raised a major question about how the league protects the mental health of its athletes.
According to information from Indiana authorities and media reports, Moore was believed to have faced prolonged depression and a severe mental health crisis before his passing. These revelations have forced the NFL community to reexamine the invisible pressures that young players endure every single day.
In that context, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced a groundbreaking initiative. He decided to establish a “Mental Performance Lab” at the team’s home stadium, Gillette Stadium — a specialized center aimed at supporting and protecting the mental health of all players.
The new complex includes private counseling rooms, meditation spaces, and full-time mental health professionals. Players will undergo psychological evaluations twice per season to detect early signs of stress, anxiety, or crisis before situations spiral beyond control.
During an emotional press conference, Kraft shared: “Physical fitness can help you win a game, but only spirit can help you win a lifetime. No one should have to suffer in silence. If one of our players is hurting, we want them to know they are not alone.”
The initiative quickly received strong support from experts and former players. Many believe it could become a model for the entire NFL, especially as mental health issues are increasingly being taken seriously in professional sports.
After Moore’s tragedy, the NFL is not only confronting loss but also facing an opportunity for change. With Robert Kraft’s decisive move, the message is clear: protecting players must extend beyond the physical — to the mind, where a person’s long-term value is truly defined, both on and off the field.
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After the tragedy of young Vikings star Rondale Moore, Patriots owner Robert Kraft establishes center at Gillette to protect players’ mental health
