Amid a tense NFC North race and the last few weeks of the season which will impact playoff positioning, the Minnesota Vikings had to pause for a moment when one of their own made a big announcement this week.
Vikings legend and former NFL wide receiver, Randy Moss, has decided to step away from his current role with ESPN as an analyst and TV personality on their flagship Sunday NFL Countdown program.
For the foreseeable future, the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee will be taking some time to focus on his health, as he broke the news stating he was facing some challenges as of late.
ESPN released a statement in conjunction with Moss deciding to step down:
"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 opened up recently about his health challenge
During Sunday NFL Countdown back on Dec. 1, Moss had this to say about his current health situation:
"I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times. People were talking about my eyes last week. I'm battling something, man, and it's something internal. Your boy is going to get through it. I got a great team of doctors and got a great family around me."
So, while it isn't quite known what Moss is facing, we know it is of the serious nature. Vikings fans, Patriots fans and all football fans, alike, can keep him in our thoughts and prayers going forward.
More Vikings news:
Moss, of course, began his career back with the Vikings as a first-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Marshall. He went on to spend eight seasons in Minnesota (seven to begin, one later on) where he put up the highest totals, overall, of any team he played with.
In those eight seasons, Moss caught 587 passes for 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns. Moss won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year and, in three separate seasons he finished inside the top five in Offensive Player of the Year voting. He made five Pro Bowls and appeared on the NFL's All Pro First Team three times.