Last week, ESPN announced that NFL analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy Moss is stepping away from Sunday NFL Countdown for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge. In a statement, the network expressed the value Moss brings to the ESPN team with the insights and passion he demonstrates on the air. Furthermore, the company offered its full support and expressed that it looked forward to welcoming him back once he is ready.
Larry Fitzgerald Sr., while attending the induction ceremony for the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nev., learned that Moss has liver cancer. Fitzgerald, a sports reporter and host on KMOJ Radio, disseminated the news on X and emphasized for people to “show the power of prayer and pull Moss through this.” Moss has not confirmed Fitzgerald’s report, and ESPN has not issued any comment beyond what was previously stated regarding his absence.
Moss’ son, Thaddeus, addressed this report from Fitzgerald on social media, affirming that he has “no right to try to make private matters public for the sake of engagement.” He added that he did not believe Moss spoke to him and told him to check his sources. Replying to a social media post issued by former Green Bay Packers quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Brett Favre, he expressed gratitude for his support but added that the report from Fitzgerald is not true. Moreover, he added that Moss “will address the world when he is ready to.”
Moss is the longest-tenured analyst on the ESPN Sunday pregame show, working alongside colleagues Mike Greenberg, Adam Schefter, Rex Ryan, Tedy Bruschi and Alex Smith. During an episode of Sunday NFL Countdown in late November, viewers noticed that Moss’ eyes appeared to be yellow. The next week, Moss explained that he was wearing sunglasses on the show because he was battling something internally, also adding that he has a great team of doctors and family around him that will get him through the situation. Amid his message, he also encouraged men to get their blood work done as well.
“Throughout the week of the holidays, your boy has been battling something internal,” Moss said, “and I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family during these hard times.”
Moss joined ESPN in July 2016 working as an NFL analyst and has appeared on Sunday NFL Countdown over the last nine seasons. For the first six seasons he was working at ESPN, he balanced the responsibility with taking part in Monday Night Countdown from the site of the prime time matchup. Additionally, he has also contributed to other ESPN studio programming throughout his time with the company and was nominated into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2018.
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