Randy Moss announces battle with cancer and undergoes successful surgery

Randy Moss is a cancer survivor. The Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver announced via Instagram on Friday that he recently underwent surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Moss, who was in the hospital for almost a week, is receiving treatment for cancer that was found outside his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver.

During the video, Moss thanked his doctors, nurses and other medical staff who helped him during his battle with cancer. Moss, who said he will now undergo chemotherapy and radiation, also thanked his family and his “prayer warriors” for their support.

“His son is a cancer survivor,” Moss said. “I’m recovering. I’m here with my family and I can’t wait to blow some of your heads off in ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘NBA 2K.'”

Moss said he underwent an initial procedure on Thanksgiving to have a stent placed in his liver after experiencing urine discoloration. That procedure confirmed his cancer diagnosis.

Shortly after, Moss announced that he was stepping away from his duties as an NFL analyst for ESPN to deal with an “internal” medical issue. Moss’ announcement came days after he addressed his medical situation on “Sunday NFL Countdown.”

Moss said he underwent a Whipple procedure six days ago that lasted about six hours. He was released from the hospital today.

“It was a tough week, some tough times,” Moss said. “So once again, I thank you all… I felt all the prayers coming there. Man, I really felt it, all the prayer warriors coming there at that time. You know, I was looking at my social media while I was in the hospital. I didn’t have much to watch other than TV and my cell phone. I didn’t write much on Twitter, but you prayer warriors, all my teammates, you know, I just don’t want to name you there are no names, but I saw everything. you tweeted me, all the prayers, the good ones wishes. I really felt that my family felt that.”

Moss also announced the launch of his new website, and all proceeds from his “Team Moss” team will go towards cancer research.

Moss, a 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, is widely considered one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions five times. He did it as a rookie by posting a rookie-record 17 touchdowns while helping the Vikings reach a Super Bowl game. A little more than a decade later, Moss caught 23 touchdowns, a single-season record, while helping the Patriots become the only team to go undefeated during a 16-game regular season.

Nicknamed “The Freak” due to his otherworldly talent, Moss was one of the best deep threats the game has ever seen. He also had impeccable hands and threatened to score every time he had the ball.

Those three facets were on display on Thanksgiving Day in 1998, when Moss turned in one of the most iconic performances (and statistics) in NFL history. Moss caught three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s win over Dallas.

Moss was also an immensely popular player. That was proven last summer during Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony, when Moss broke down in tears after receiving a long, thunderous ovation from the Patriots fans in attendance.

Not many players leave a lasting impact after their career is over. Moss certainly did, and now, spreading cancer awareness will be part of her legacy as well.