Randy Moss announced Friday that he is battling cancer and underwent successful surgery this week.
The Hall of Fame receiver explained his recent health scare on Instagram Live on Friday, saying he was in the hospital for six days and was released on Friday.
“I’m a cancer survivor. Of course, some tough times, but you know, we made it. And for that, I thank you all,” Moss said.
During Live, Moss wore a “Team Moss” t-shirt and hat with a lavender cancer ribbon — the color that represents cancer as a whole — in place of the “o.” Other merchandise was displayed next to him on the couch, which Moss said was available for sale, with most of the proceeds going to cancer research. Some of the merchandise reads “Let’s Moss Cancer” – a reference to the football slang term that bears his name.
“I want to be a helper, you know, be a voice,” Moss said.
ESPN announced last Friday that Moss will leave “Sunday NFL Countdown” indefinitely, where he has been an analyst since 2016. The network said the leave was due to health reasons.
Moss filled in some of those details on Friday, saying he received a stent in his liver on Thanksgiving for a separate medical issue. While he was getting the stent, Moss said doctors discovered cancer cells in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver.
Moss said he underwent a six-hour surgery in Charlotte this week to remove the cells. The operation, called the Whipple procedure, is a complex operation that can have risks; But Moss said it was a success.
He added that he will still have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. “Yeah, it’s going to be a tough road with some chemo and radiation, but like I said, man, I’m good,” Moss said.
Moss also thanked his doctors, family and friends by name, and said he’s seen people’s prayers and get-well wishes on social media, including from his former teammates.
“I really felt it. My family felt it,” Moss said.
The Hall of Famer first hinted that something was amiss on Dec. 1 when he explained on the next Live that he would be wearing sunglasses during Sunday’s NFL countdown. Moss simply said he was “struggling with something internal” and did not provide any further details at the time. But he encouraged people to report to their doctors.
Moss echoed that sentiment Friday, encouraging everyone, especially black men, to get screenings and keep up with blood tests.
“You’ve got to be able to check your ego at the door, man, because the only thing that really stood out to me when I was in that hospital was the look on my boys’ faces, the look on my wife’s beautiful face.” Moss said, naming other members of his family. “I just need to get back to my family.
Moss finished the Live by saying his goal was to return to ESPN while giving a shout out to all the members of “Sunday NFL Countdown.”