Well, 2024 has been a year of emotional rollercoaster for football fans. From losing Lane Kiffin’s father Monte Kiffin to Khyree Jackson’s shocking demise, it’s been tough. On a brighter note, Texans’ DL Dylan Horton and Saints’ TE Foster Moreau are both in remission from cancer following their diagnoses last year. Just when we thought we’d seen it all, here comes another gut punch of news. NFL legend Randy Moss just revealed being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment. That’s when the world of NFL and college football came together in Moss’ support. Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders is one of the first people to stand beside the legend in his fight against cancer. 

Remember the time when a player gave the Dallas Cowboys a hard time catching three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns? That was Thanksgiving Day in 1998. And guess who that player was? It had to be Moss who played for the Minnesota Vikings back then. Probably, still today, Deion has this picture of Moss engraved in his memory. As Coach Prime has always seen Moss as a warrior, he had to lift the legend’s morals now that he is going through a rough patch. On December 13, Deion tweeted in Moss’ honor, “Praying for you and your family my brother! Love ya man and I know you’re gonna win his battle as u always do. #CoachPrime.” 

Earlier this December, the ex-NFL wide receiver had stepped down as an analyst from ESPN. But fans couldn’t guess in their wildest dreams what might be the reason. A few days back, he did leave a video where he just didn’t reveal the news. On Sunday NFL Countdown, he just stated, “I couldn’t miss the show; I wanted to be here with you guys. I feel great, but if you 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.” As comments started to pour in, one of them stood out.

It has to be Deion’s who wrote, “CLEAN!” Yes, that’s how Coach Prime is eagerly waiting for Moss to come out clean of cancer. Finally, Moss revealed the heartbreaking news on Instagram Live. At only 47, ‘The Mossiah’ revealed, “I’m a cancer survivor,” donning a T-shirt with the slogan “Team Moss—Let’s Moss Cancer.”

Moss boldly stated that his health deteriorated around Thanksgiving. That’s when doctors found a mass in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He was in the hospital for six days, where he underwent surgery. Well, all these might be too heavy to handle, right? Moss knows that well. So he ended his IG live with a sweet promise: “As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set. Hopefully I can be with you guys soon.” Definitely, he is going to make a big comeback. The other legends will make it possible. 

Randy Moss’ fanboy moment with Deion Sanders

The news has been shocking enough for legends to come together to pray for Moss’ speedy recovery. Starting with Darius Butler sending prayers to Bryant McKinnie and dropping some prayer-hand emojis, prayers have started to pour in. All of them might or might not be sharing some heartwarming story with Moss; however, his story with Deion will always stand out.

Back in 2014, the ex-NFL legend had been a part of the FOX NFL Kickoff segment. That’s when he was expecting to attend a dinner party with the Cowboys front office. But he was not allowed to be a part of the party. Rather, Moss got luckier that his invitation got canceled. As he once recalled, “I was in Dallas right before the draft; I think it was a five o’clock dinner. So, I get down there early, but somebody says, ‘Randy, you don’t have to go to the dinner tonight. There’s going to be a limo here to pick you up to take you over to Deion’s house.’”

And what was the feeling? Well, the fanboy was all head over heels. “You could’ve melted me and put me in a cup,” Randy Moss shared his experience after meeting Deion Sanders. What started as sheer respect for their contribution to the game soon got shaped by their common hobby, and they became “fishing buddies.” So, now you know that Moss’ latest update is no longer professional for Deion. It feels personal.