Randy Moss didn’t want there to be any confusion.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver and current ESPN analyst revealed at the start of “Sunday NFL Countdown” that he’s “battling something internally” and that he might need to wear sunglasses during the show.
“I just wanted to let the viewers know that me and my wife, me and my family, we are battling something internally,” Moss said, while also posting a video to Instagram with a similar message. “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 y’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.”
wear during “Sunday NFL Countdown.” Screengrab via X/@_MLFootball
While Moss didn’t reveal what specifically he’s battling, he did encourage people to “do your checkups, get your bloodwork done” in the Instagram video — adding that this has occurred “throughout the week of the holidays.”
Once Moss finished talking about the sunglasses, host Mike Greenberg, former quarterback Alex Smith, former head coach Rex Ryan and former linebacker Tedy Bruschi all pulled out glasses at the same time to wear alongside Moss, while NFL insider Adam Schefter — standing next to the main set in the studio — did the same while giving his first update.
Schefter, a Michigan alum, joked that the glasses looked like the ones worn by Wolverines defenders after they force turnovers, Moss said in his Instagram video.
“All for one and one for all,” Greenberg said as he slid the glasses on his face. “If he’s wearing glasses, we’re all wearing glasses today.”
Moss made six Pro Bowls and topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season 10 times across a 14-year career — one that included stints with the Vikings, Patriots, Raiders and 49ers — that ended following the 2012 season.
He worked for Fox Sports after retiring before joining ESPN in 2016, where he’s now a regular member of the “Sunday NFL Countdown” crew.
In 2018, Moss was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility.