Randy Moss opens up on cancer diagnosis, return to TV

In December of last year, Randy Moss announced that he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. He later revealed on an Instagram live that he’d undergone surgery to treat cancer found in his bile duct between the pancreas and the liver.

Now, Moss has emerged on the other side of the terrifying health scare and is excited to return to the Sunday NFL Countdown news desk. Moss discussed his anticipation to return to the show during an interview with TMZ Sports’ Michael Babcock.

“Man, I look forward to it. I missed my crew. Greenie, Alex, Teddy,” Moss said before poking fun at his other co-host. “I really didn’t miss Rex Ryan much because he got on my nerves. So, Rex, if you’re hearing this, I am coming back, so scoot over.

“But really, Michael, in all honesty, we have a great group of guys that I work with that I tremendously missed for two months and ESPN accepted me back with open arms. Man, I just can’t wait for week one to get back with the crew and talk football!”

Moss also made a return to show for Super Bowl LIX. A statement from ESPN to The Athletic revealed how much Moss’ comeback meant to the Sunday NFL Countdown crew.

“Randy’s return on Super Bowl Sunday was an emotional lift — not just for our team but for the entire football community — and knowing he will resume his full Sunday NFL Countdown schedule, beginning in Week 1, has been the highlight of the offseason,” ESPN said.

The return means even more to Moss. The 48-year-old openly admitted it wasn’t easy to watch his co-hosts from home every week.

“It was very difficult just being able to sit there every week and watch my team go out there and perform, and I can’t be with them,” Moss said. “I’ve been injured before. I think the most time that I missed was maybe a month, not being out there with my team. Mine [cancer recovery] was two months. So, that hurt.

“It was a an emotional roller coaster, but being able to see the support from the ESPN Sunday Countdown crew, the fans, the football fans and just people in general, man, just showing their love and respect — I thank everybody for their love and their prayers.”

Moss is entering his 10th year at ESPN. He played 14 seasons in the NFL and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.