Total Pro Sports
You don’t just bench Randy Moss, not when he was on the field, and certainly not on TV. But in 2024, the Hall of Famer had to do just that, stepping away from ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown after revealing a battle that had nothing to do with football.
Moss, 48, faced something far tougher than any defensive back he ever faced. Doctors found a cancerous mass in his bile duct, and in November, he underwent a six-hour surgery to remove it. He had a stent placed in his liver and later faced both radiation and chemotherapy. It was serious. It was scary. But now, he’s back, and he’s fired up.
In February, Moss made an emotional return to ESPN during Super Bowl LIX coverage. Fans saw it. His colleagues felt it. Now, ESPN says he’s officially returning to Sunday NFL Countdown for Week 1 of the 2025 season.
“Randy’s return on Super Bowl Sunday was an emotional lift – not just for our team but for the entire football community,” ESPN told The Athletic. “Knowing he will resume his full Sunday NFL Countdown schedule, beginning in Week 1, has been the highlight of the offseason.”
For Moss, though, it’s about more than cameras and countdowns. It’s about family—the crew, the fans, the game.
“Man, I look forward to it,” Moss told TMZ Sports. “I miss my crew. Greeny, Alex, Tedy. But I really didn’t miss Rex Ryan much because he got on my nerves,” he joked. “Rex, if you are hearing this, I am coming back, so scoot over.”
He didn’t stop there. “We have a great group of guys that I work with that I tremendously missed for two months,” Moss said. “ESPN accepted me with open arms, man. I just can’t wait for Week 1.”
And while he’s known for his confidence, Moss got candid about the support he received during his recovery. “Thank you for all the love and prayers,” he said, speaking to fans across the country.
Moss may have stepped away for a while, but he’s not going anywhere now. And come September, expect him to be back on your screen, cracking jokes, calling plays, and reminding everyone why he’s one of the best to ever do it.
Also Read: Randy Moss Releases Massive Announcement On His Future Following Battle With Cancer
