Randy Moss Taking Time Off from ESPN for a 'Personal Health Challenge' After Asking for 'Prayers'
ESPN issued a statement confirming that Moss will be "stepping away" for an "extended time"
ESPN issued a statement confirming that Moss will be "stepping away" for an "extended time" Mark Brown/Getty Randy Moss from ESPN looks on during the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl on January 26, 2020 :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Randy-Moss-120124-02-df68eff44a4b4cca974eecd92b4336e0.jpg "ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 26: Randy Moss from ESPN looks on during the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.")
Randy Moss will be taking time away from Sunday NFL Countdown to focus on his health.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported on Friday, Dec. 6 that Moss, 47, is "stepping away" from his chair on the weekly broadcast to "address a personal health challenge," and shared the network's official statement in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss will step away from Sunday NFL Countdown for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge. He briefly addressed the matter at the start of the show on Dec. 1," ESPN began in their statement.
"For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating Countdown with his insight and passion. He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready," the network's statement concluded.
ESPN analyst Randy Moss is stepping away from Sunday NFL Countdown for now to address a personal health challenge. This is ESPN’s statement: pic.twitter.com/GpX0fGPx6M— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2024
On the Dec. 1 broadcast, Moss said he wanted to let viewers know that his family is "battling something internally" and he "couldn't miss the show" because he wanted "to be here with you guys."
Moss — who made headlines for wearing sunglasses during the pregame broadcast — told viewers that he has "some great doctors around" him and that he feels "great," but added, "if y'all see me with these Michigan turnover glasses that I have on, it's not being disrespectful because I'm on television. Man, I'm battling something I need all the prayer warriors." Michael Owens/Getty Randy Moss reacts prior to the NFC Wild Card between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on January 17, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
Before the broadcast on Dec. 1, Moss shared more on Instagram about his condition.
"Throughout the week of the holidays, your boy has been battling something internal," Moss revealed on Instagram. “I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times.”
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The beloved broadcaster also encouraged his fans to be proactive about their own health. "Y'all do your checkups, get your blood work done, and we’ll work through it," he said.
Related: NFL Legend Randy Moss Reveals Health Scare and Asks Fans for Prayers: ‘Battling Something Internal’
Moss quickly shared a follow-up video that same day in which he said, "There's going to be people concerned and asking questions. At this time, I'm just going to keep a lot of things private. Just bear with me. But like I said, I need your prayers."
He received support on the post from A-list friends like Jamie Foxx, who wrote, "We gotchu prayers up," on the post, and Tom Brady, who liked Moss's video announcement.
Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Patriots, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.
