Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss said Friday he is being treated for cancer and recovering from major surgery.
In an appearance on Instagram Live, Moss, aided by a cane, introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support.
Moss said a cancerous tumor was found in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He said he had surgery on Thanksgiving to place a stent in his liver and then had a six-hour procedure about a week ago to remove the cancer. He said he was in the hospital for six days and was released Friday.
The surgery was a Whipple procedure, Moss said. The surgery involves removing the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said.
Moss said he will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.
“All the prayers, the get well wishes, I really felt that, my family felt that,” said Moss, wearing a hoodie with the words “Team Moss.”
Moss left his role as an analyst on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown on December 6.
“As soon as I’m healthy and can go out with the boys again, I’ll be on set. … Hopefully I can get to you guys soon,” Moss said.
“My goal is to get back on television with my team.”
Moss wore a gray hoodie with the words “Team Moss” and asked for donations on his website, saying the money would mainly go to cancer research.
The 47-year-old Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing fourteen seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).
Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches and had an NFL record 23 TD receptions for the Patriots in 2007.