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Randy Moss makes emotional return to ESPN NFL Countdown, provides health update

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•02/09/25•

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss returned to ESPN’s NFL Countdown ahead of Super Bowl LIX following his cancer diagnosis.

A long time analyst following his illustrious playing career, Moss was forced to step away for some time due to his illness. But now, he’s back on the biggest stage and it was a welcome sight to see Moss return.

“Hey, man, it’s a great it’s a pleasure to be here,” Moss said to open the show. “Man, Super Bowl LIX, when I was diagnosed with the cancer, you know, I was talking to Seth Markman, and I said, you know, I’m (gonna) stay strong. I’m (gonna) beat this thing. And my goal was to be here with you guys. So, man, God bless you guys for staying strong with me, with the prayers, the prayer warriors, my doctors, my beautiful white traveling with me. Man, where would I not want to be if I couldn’t be here with you guys? Super Bowl LIX. It’s a great day to be here.”

Host Mike Greenberg rolled a special video packages featuring many NFL legends like Tom Brady, Jerry Rice and Bill Belichick. Current stars like Justin Jefferson were also featured, welcoming Moss back to the set.

Moss was visibly emotional following the tribute.

“You already know, y’all already know it’s the big cry baby here, man,” Moss said. “Hey y’all, I couldn’t do it alone, and I really thank y’all NFL, my teammates. I’ve seen Pep, I’ve seen Miss green and seen Brady and Belichick. Hey guys, it’s been hard, but I got a lot of love, and a lot of people believing in me, man, so I’m happy to be here. Man, you said, Greeny, don’t do it again. Oh, man, God is good.”

Moss is one of the all-time great receivers in NFL and college football history. During his time at Marshall, he helped the Thundering Herd to a national title and won the Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in the country in 1997 as part of his Hall of Fame career.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Moss with the No. 21 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, and he spent 14 years in the league. He was a four-time All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler, leading the NFL in touchdown receptions five times, as he ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Moss played for the Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers in his career, making two Super Bowls.

In December, Moss announced doctors found cancer in his bile ducts between his pancreas and liver. He still has to undergo chemotherapy, but said he was now a “survivor” after getting back from the hospital.

Moss is a staple of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown pregame show, but prior to that announcement, wore sunglasses on air. He made it clear he wasn’t being disrespectful, but it was because he was dealing with “something internally” and he heard fans’ concern about his eyes. He was later off the air after ESPN announced he’d be tending to focus on a health concern.

“Y’all know, I’ve told y’all over the last couple of weeks about me battling something internally,” Moss said on IG Live back on December. “Your boy is a cancer survivor. … I just want to give a shoutout to a lot of people that really helped me pull through this. Been in the hospital for six days. I just got out today. Thank God.”