Randy Moss returned to ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown on Sept. 7, rejoining co-hosts after completing treatment for Stage 2 bile duct cancer and marking the moment with a celebratory bell-ringing shown at the start of the broadcast.
The 48-year-old Hall of Fame wide receiver smiled as Mike Greenberg opened the program with video of Moss ringing the bell to signify the end of his treatment. Seated between Rex Ryan and Alex Smith, Moss told colleagues, "It was just a great day, man, shout out and love to my doctors ... all my treatment is over, ringing the bell, back with the family, man."
Moss stepped away from his role at ESPN in December to focus on his health after a diagnosis that included symptoms of jaundice and dark urine. He spoke about the diagnosis and its emotional impact in a recent interview on Good Morning America, saying the news "hit like a ton of bricks." In mid-December Moss publicly described himself as a "cancer survivor," revealing he underwent a six-hour Whipple procedure to remove the tumor located in the bile duct between his pancreas and liver.
Moss thanked the medical team during the broadcast, singling out Dr. Martini for the surgery. He previously underwent a televised tribute in the lead-up to Super Bowl 2025, where peers and fans offered public support as he continued recovery and rehabilitation.
A native of West Virginia, Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL, earning a reputation as one of the game's most dynamic receivers with standout seasons in Minnesota and New England. His career included stints with the Vikings, Patriots, 49ers, Raiders and Titans. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and joined ESPN as a commentator in 2016.
During Sunday’s broadcast, colleagues including Tedy Bruschi acknowledged the long road to recovery and celebrated Moss's return to the network desk. Moss said he was grateful for the support he had received and for the opportunity to return to the work he has done since joining ESPN.
ESPN did not provide additional medical details beyond Moss’s public statements. The broadcaster and Moss’s on-air colleagues framed his return as a milestone in his recovery and a moment of reunion after months away from the network. Moss has continued to share updates through interviews and social media as he transitions back into his role on the program.