Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis; recovering from surgery
ESPN analyst Randy Moss reacts during a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Texans at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - Randy Moss, a NFL football Hall-of-Famer, revealed he has cancer during an Instagram livestream on Friday.
Moss, 47, made the announcement while donning a white hoodie that read "Team Moss. Let’s Moss Cancer," across the front. He revealed he had been in the hospital for six days and was recovering from surgery.
"Your boy is a cancer survivor," he said.
‘We are grateful’
During the livestream, Moss thanked the health care staff and his "prayer warriors" while he was being treated for his illness.
"I thank you. God bless you," Moss continued. "All the prayer warriors."
Moss also asked his "true Moss fans" to help contribute to cancer research by purchasing his new merchandise which had a similar lavender logo to the one on his hoodie.
"Lavender represents all cancer," he said.
Moss reassured his ESPN coworkers that he would be back on set and sounded hopeful for a quick recovery.
Diagnosed with cancer
Just two weeks prior, the former star wide receiver announced he was battling an illness but did not immediately disclose what he was dealing with.
"I went through a procedure, where, I told you guys last week about getting checked, getting scans, getting bloodwork done," Moss continued.
"It’s not just for males, females, it’s for everyone. Especially Black men," he said.
Moss went on to explain that doctors found cancer in the bile duct between his pancreas and his liver. "The cancer was sitting right outside my bile duct," he said.
Moss underwent a six-hour surgery called a Whipple procedure and praised his medical team for nursing him back to health.
"Your boy came through," he said.
The operation involves removing the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Moss will continue treatment through chemotherapy and radiation, but assured his fans that he's "good."
"I'm here with my family and I can't wait to bust one of y'all's heads on Call of Duty or NBA 2K, but I'm back!" Moss said.
Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL and is second in the Vikings' all-time receiving yards with 9,316 yards.
The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro will turn 48 in February.