NFL HOFer Randy Moss to Step Away from ESPN to Address 'Personal Health Challenge'

Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss will be stepping away from Sunday NFL Countdown to focus on a health issue.

In a statement released from ESPN, Moss is dealing with a "personal health challenge" and he will be off the air for "an extended time" to address the situation.

During the Dec. 1 episode of NFL Sunday Countdown, Moss posted a video on Instagram in which he said he was "battling something internal" and encouraged viewers to go get regular checkups and bloodwork done:

"Throughout the week of the holidays, your boy has been battling something internal. And I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times. ... I'm battling something, man, and it's something internal. Your boy's gonna get through it. I got a great team of doctors, and I got a great family around me. All you men, man, ya'll do your checkups and get your bloodwork done, and we'll work through it, alright? Thank you for the prayers."

Moss did not reveal specific details about the health issue he is dealing with, but he did say on the broadcast that he would have to be wearing glasses throughout the show.

ESPN hired Moss in 2016 to work as an analyst for Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown. He has continued to work on the Sunday pregame show, but left the Monday show in 2022.

After his playing career ended in 2012, Moss moved into broadcasting with Fox Sports 1. He worked as an associate head coach at Victory Christian Center High School in 2014 when his son, Thaddeus, played for the football team.

Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL with five different teams from 1998 to 2012. He ranks second in NFL history in receiving touchdowns (156) and fourth in receiving yards (15,292).

Five years after his retirement, Moss was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame earlier this year as part of the 2024 class.