Randy Moss to Take Leave of Absence From ESPN Amid Health Scare

Randy Moss will take a hiatus from ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown as he navigates a health struggle.

ESPN confirmed in a Friday, December 6, statement that Moss, 47, will “step away from Sunday NFL Countdown for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge.”

“For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating Countdown with his insight and passion,” the statement read. “He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”

Moss played football for the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers during his 14-season NFL career. After retiring in 2012, he took a seat behind the ESPN anchor desk to deliver game-day play-by-plays.

Moss revealed earlier this month that he was facing an undisclosed health scare.

“Me and my wife and my family, we are battling something internally,” he said during the December 1 episode of Sunday NFL Countdown. “You know, I have some great doctors around me. I couldn’t miss the show, I wanted to be here with you guys.”

He added, “I feel great, but if you see me with these Michigan Turnover glasses that I have on, it’s not being disrespectful ‘cause I’m on television. I’m battling something [and] I need all the prayer warriors. God bless you and thanks for the prayers.”

Moss’ Countdown cohosts Mike Greenberg, Tedy Bruschi, Rex Ryan and Alex Smith subsequently put on their own set of reading glasses in a sign of support and solidarity.

Moments before the broadcast, the Hall of Fame athlete shared another update to his Instagram.

“This is a message for all the men,” Moss said. “I’m sitting here on the stage … and throughout the week of the holiday, your boy has been battling something internal. People have been talking about my eyes last week and you know I’m here. It’s something internal. Your boy’s gonna get through it. I got a great team of doctors and a great family around me.”

Moss further asked for his followers to “put their blessing hands” on him and his family during “these hard times.”

Moss concluded, “All you men, do your checkups, get your bloodwork done and we’ll work through it.”

Randy’s circle of support extends to his wife, Lydia Moss, and his four children from a past relationship.

“I think when you look, at the end of the day, of the definition of family, I think it’s just more something that I’ve always wanted,” Randy previously said on a September 2020 episode of Russell Wilson’s “DangerTalk” podcast. “It’s more of us just being able to love and love your family for who they are.”