ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown kicked off its Super Bowl LIX programming by welcoming back Randy Moss with a heartfelt tribute following his cancer treatment.
In a video tribute, which was shared via social media, current and former NFL players, such as Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Justin Jefferson and more, each provided a message to Moss, 47, welcoming him back to the show. The video prompted an emotional response from the members of the desk, especially Moss.
“Y’all already know it’s the big crybaby here” Moss said, wiping away tears. He further thanked the “NFL and my teammates” and the people who appeared in the video. “Hey y’all, I can’t do it alone,” he said. “It’s been hard, but I got a lot of love and a lot of people believe in me, man.”
NFL Countdown host Mike Greenberg shared that they had previously promised Moss they wouldn’t do a tribute to him upon his return, but Moss seemed grateful anyway. “I’m happy to be here,” Moss said, then added to Greenberg, joking, “Greenie, don’t do it again. Let’s get this show started.”
Moss has been an analyst on Sunday NFL Countdown since 2016, but took a leave of absence from the show in December 2024 for health reasons. He later revealed that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer and underwent a successful “six hour” surgery to remove the cancerous mass.
“Ya boy is a cancer survivor,” Moss said in an Instagram Live video in December. “I did have cancer, they found it in the bile duct right between the pancreas and the liver. The cancer was sitting right outside the bile duct.”
At the time, Moss also expressed gratitude for the support of the football community and the well wishes sent his way. “All the prayers, the well wishes, I really felt that, my family felt that,” he said. “As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set. … Hopefully I can be with you guys soon. My goal is to get back on television with my team.”
On Thursday, February 6, Moss shared a further update on his health during a virtual appearance at the 2025 NFL Honors.
“Good evening everybody. How y’all doing? It is great to talk to you tonight,” Moss said in livestream footage during the ceremony, which took place in New Orleans.
He continued, “I’m sorry I could not be there in person to join you all, but I want to send a special thank you to all of my doctors, my beautiful wife, my children, my family, my teammates and all the prayer warriors out there. We are Mossing cancer, and I cannot wait to get back on television with all my guys.”
