Randy Moss says he’s battling cancer and will return to ESPN ‘as soon as I’m healthy’
Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss is battling cancer.
In a video posted to Instagram on Friday, Moss revealed that a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He said he had a stent placed in his liver on Thanksgiving, then last week had a six-hour surgery, known as the Whipple procedure, to remove the cancer.
During the video, Moss, 47, referred to himself as a cancer survivor.
“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said. “But, you know, things took a turn for the worse. I asked for my prayer warriors, I asked for my family to be around me, to put their hands on me through this trying time and y’all best believe your boy came through.”
He added: “I’m nursing myself back. Yes it’s going to be a little tough over some chemo and radiation, but like I said, man, I’m good.”
ESPN is canceling ‘Around the Horn.’ The show, which often features Times columnist Bill Plaschke among its panel of journalists, will air its final episode next summer.
On Dec. 6, ESPN announced in a statement that Moss would be taking an extended leave from his role as an analyst on “NFL Sunday Countdown” as he deals with “a personal health challenge.”
In a video recorded and posted on Instagram before he appeared on the previous Sunday episode, Moss told fans he “has been battling something internal” and indicated he might have to wear sunglasses while on the air because of it.
The tone of the video was upbeat and lighthearted, but Moss’ message was serious.
“I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times,” Moss said. “Like I said, y’all, I’m battling something, man, and it’s something internal. Your boy is going to get through it. I got a great team of doctors and got a great family around me. So all you men, y’all do your checkups, get your bloodwork done and we’ll work through it, all right?”
He added in a second video: “There’s gonna be people concerned and asking questions. At this time, just gonna keep a lot of things private and y’all just bear with me. But like I said, I need your prayers.”
Like its integration of Hulu earlier this year, Disney has added an ESPN tile to its Disney+ homepage to encourage more bundle subscriptions and reduce churn.
Moss also briefly addressed the matter at the top of the Dec. 1 show. Host Mike Greenberg responded: “We’re all for one and one for all; if he’s wearing glasses, we’re all wearing glasses,” as he and the rest of the studio crew — Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Tedy Bruschi — donned eyewear in support of their colleague.
Moss played for the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers during his 14-year career. He ranks second all-time in receiving touchdowns (156), fourth in receiving yards (15,292) and 15th in receptions (982).
He joined the “NFL Sunday Countdown” crew in 2016.
“For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown’ with his insight and passion,” ESPN said in a statement. “He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”
In his most recent video, Moss promised to be back on set “as soon as I’m healthy.”
