Randy Moss has revealed the malady that resulted in him stepping away from ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” starting last week.
ESPN had announced that Moss, 47, was taking a leave of absence to battle an undisclosed illness. The Hall of Fame pass-catcher’s signature segment, “You Got Mossed,” was still incorporated into the broadcast’s package, but his absence loomed large.
On Friday, Moss explained the reason for his hiatus. Here’s the latest on Moss’ status going forward.
MORE: Randy Moss steps away from ESPN due to ‘personal health challenge’
Randy Moss health update
Moss took to Instagram on Friday to reveal that he is a “cancer survivor.” The former Vikings, Raiders and Patriots star disclosed that he underwent a six-hour operation on his pancreas, liver, gall bladder and bile duct — commonly known as a Whipple procedure.
Moss had previously went under the knife on Thanksgiving to have a stent — a “small mesh tube used to hold open passages in the body,” per the National Institute of Health — inserted into his liver. Moss detailed some of the symptoms that led to him receive his initial surgery during his Instagram Live broadcast, including discolored urine.
His operation was to address bile duct cancer, Moss revealed. He’ll move onto chemotherapy and radiation in the future and remains committed to returning to ESPN.
“My goal is to get back on that television with my team,” Moss said.
https://t.co/DnyP5wgRKN
LET’S MOSS CANCER— Randy Moss (@RandyMoss) December 13, 2024
The Vikings and the Patriots both posted to X (formerly Twitter) in support of Moss.
“Thinking about and praying for you and your family as you finish treatments,” the Vikings’ post read. “Let’s Moss Cancer!”
“We have celebrated so many tremendous catches by Randy Moss during his Hall of Fame career, but none more important than his most recent catch,” the Patriots’ post read, with a reference to the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign to fight cancer.
“I am a cancer survivor. Some trying times for sure, but we made it through.”
Glad to hear it, @RandyMoss. Thinking about and praying for you and your family as you finish treatments 🙏💜💛
Let’s Moss Cancer! pic.twitter.com/22chr9EkBU
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 13, 2024
We have celebrated so many tremendous catches by Randy Moss during his Hall of Fame career, but none more important than his most recent catch.@RandyMoss doesn’t lose one-on-one matchups.
Cancer is about to get Mossed and Patriots fans everywhere will continue to celebrate!… pic.twitter.com/YUb32daQdF
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 14, 2024
What is a Whipple procedure?
According to NIH’s National Library of Medicine, a Whipple procedure refers to a surgical operation which sees “the pancreatic head, duodenum, gallbladder and bile duct” removed in order to treat malignant tumors.
The procedure is technically challenging and carries notable risks, from pancreatic leaks to postoperative infections. It’s also regularly accompanied by gastrointestinal tract reconstruction.
The first Whipple procedure was performed by Walter Kausch in Germany in 1909. Since its inception, it has become one of the most useful surgical techniques in the world of pancreatic cancer management. Despite its ubiquity, it remains a fairly dangerous operation.
