Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; Former NFL player Randy Moss poses with his wife Lydia Griffith for a photo at the New England Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Tom Brady at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Randy Moss will not be on Sunday NFL Countdown for the foreseeable future.

After announcing ahead of Week 13 that he was battling something health-related, Moss has elected to step away for the time being.

On Friday, ESPN released a statement saying, “Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss will step away from Sunday NFL Countdown for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge. He briefly addressed the matter at the start of the show on Dec. 1.

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

Randy Moss, who joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in 2016 after a stint on Fox NFL Kickoff, shared a personal message with viewers during last Sunday’s broadcast.

Moss stated that he was battling a health issue that would require him to wear glasses throughout the show.

“I just wanted to share something with you all, man,” Moss began at the top of last Sunday’s Countdown. “I put a post up maybe a few minutes ago on Instagram just telling people — just, you were talking about my eyes last week, and I just want to let the viewers know that me and my wife, me and my family, we are battling something internally.

“You know, I have some great doctors around me. I couldn’t miss the show; I wanted to be here with you guys. I feel great, but if you all see me with these Michigan turnover glasses that I have on, it’s not being disrespectful because I’m on television, man. I’m battling something; I need all the prayer warriors. God bless you all, and thanks for the prayers.”

Randy Moss’ presence and insight have been a major asset to Sunday NFL Countdown, and it will be great to see him return when he’s ready.

In the meantime, his health is the priority, and we wish him all the best.

[Adam Schefter]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.