NFL legend Randy Moss revealed in an emotional Instagram Live video on Friday that he is battling cancer. Moss’ health announcement comes weeks after fans speculated about his health following his absence from ESPN and also changes in his physical state.
The 46-year-old former wide receiver revealed that he had been hospitalized for six days and explained his diagnosis and treatment journey.
Moss has temporarily stepped back from his role with ESPN and stated that he is currently unable to walk without using a cane.
“I’ve told y’all over the last couple of weeks about me battling something internally, and ya boy is a cancer survivor,” Moss said in the video as he appeared frail but determined in a “Team Moss” shirt.
He disclosed that the cancer was discovered in the bile duct, which is located between the pancreas and the liver.
“The cancer was sitting right outside the bile duct,” he said.
Moss underwent a six-hour Whipple procedure, a complex surgery often used to treat bile duct and pancreatic cancers.
He expressed lots of thanks to his medical team, including Dr. John Martinie, whom he called “the best doctor in the United States.” “Their team nursed me back to health, and I’m forever grateful”, he said.
Although Moss has undergone surgery, he stated that his battle is far from over and will be aiming to come back strong from this.
“It’s going to be a tough road with some chemo and some radiation,” he said, adding that it’s unclear whether he is now cancer-free.
He also took the time to thank his family, fans and the medical community for their constant support in the video.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank God for blessing me and my family through this trying time,” he said. “Those prayer warriors—I felt all the prayers coming through.”
Moss also revealed that he monitored social media at the hospital and felt the love from his fans.
“I saw everything you guys tweeted at me. I really felt that, my family felt that, and we are definitely grateful,” he said.
He then encouraged fans to support his “Team Moss” initiative, which is centered towards cancer research.
Randy Moss also used the moment to stress on the need for regular health screenings and urged people to “check your ego at the door.” “When I was in the hospital, looking at my boys’ faces, my beautiful wife’s face, they gave me so much joy and strength to keep going”, he added.
The NFL icon also addressed the widely reported speculation about his illness, particularly claims by Larry Fitzgerald Sr. that he was battling liver cancer.
Moss’ son had publicly criticized the rumors as “disgusting” and believed his father was the best person to tell the world what was happening with him.
Randy Moss reacted to the rumors and said, “Some clowns out here were trying to be doctors when they weren’t. I won’t acknowledge them.” He confirmed undergoing a separate two-hour procedure on Thanksgiving to have a stent inserted into his liver.
Despite his health challenges, Randy Moss reassured fans that he is determined to recover and return to ESPN.
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“As soon as I’m back healthy, I’ll be back out there with you guys, I promise you,” he said, while also expressing gratitude to his ESPN colleagues for their support. Closing his message, Moss said, “This is just part of the journey, and I’m nursing my way back. We’ll get through this together.”
