ESPN football analyst and Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss will take “extended time” off the job to deal with “a personal health challenge,” the network said Friday.
Moss first told viewers on Sunday, from the set of “Sunday NFL Countdown,” that he’s facing an undisclosed medial issue and urged men to pay particular attention to health screenings.
“Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss will step away from” his Sunday morning pregame show in order “to focus on a personal health challenge,” according to an ESPN 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.”
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III asked his 2.2 million X followers to pray for Moss, who he credited with helping him break into TV.
“His kindness and open arms helped a brother out and is rare in any industry. Love him,” Griffin wrote.
In a pair of Instagram posts on Sunday, Moss said he was tackling a health issue.
“I’m battling something, man, and it’s something internal. Your boy is going to get through it,” Moss continued. “I got a great team of doctors and got a great family around me.”
While Moss, 47, didn’t disclose details of the illness he might be fighting, he pointedly told “all you men” to “get your blood work done and we’ll work through it.”
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has suggested that recommends that adults 45 and older should be screened for colon cancer, and that men over 55 discuss whether they should be checked for prostate cancer.
Heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol are also health challenges that could be subject for regularly screening.
“At this time I just want to keep a lot of things private and you all just bear with me,” Moss said this past Sunday. “But like I said, I need your prayers.”
Moss was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
He’s best known for his time with the Minnesota Vikings, but he also made Super Bowl appearances with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers. He also did stints with the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans during his 14-season-long career.
His 156 touchdown catches ranks second all-time, topped only by Jerry Rice’s 197. Moss’ catches were good for 15,292 yards, No. 4 all-time trailing only Rice (22,895), Larry Fitzgerald (17,492) and Terrell Owens (15,934).
