Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis and 6-hour surgery

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss said Friday he is being treated for cancer and is recovering from major surgery.

During an appearance on Instagram Live, Moss, supported by a cane, introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support.

Moss said a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct between his pancreas and liver. He said he underwent surgery to have a stent inserted into his liver on Thanksgiving and then underwent a six-hour procedure to remove the cancer about a week ago. He said he was in the hospital for six days and was discharged on Friday.

The operation was a Whipple procedure, Moss said. According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgery involves removing the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and the bile duct.

“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 good wishes, I really felt that, my family felt that,” Moss said, wearing a hoodie that read “Team Moss.”

Moss stepped down from his role as an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” on Dec. 6.

“As soon as I’m healthy and able to go out with guys again, I’ll be on set. … Hopefully I can be with you soon,” Moss said.

“My goal is to be on television again with my team.”

Moss wore a gray hoodie that said “Team Moss” and asked for donations on his website. The money will primarily flow into cancer research.

Moss, 47, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10) and 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.

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This story has been corrected. An earlier version incorrectly reported that the cancer was outside Moss’s intestinal canal.

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