Randy Moss spent 14 seasons in the NFL making impossible catches look easy. Now, the Hall of Fame wide receiver is chasing something entirely different and loving every minute of it. In December 2024, Moss announced via Instagram Live that doctors had discovered a cancerous mass in his bile duct, located between his pancreas and liver. He had already undergone a six-hour Whipple procedure, a complex surgery that removes parts of the pancreas, small intestine, gallbladder, and bile duct, and spent six days in the hospital. He was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 2 bile duct cancer and underwent both chemotherapy and radiation. The NFL world rallied behind him with the hashtag #LetsMossCancer, and it worked.
Randy Moss Beats Cancer and Finds His New Passion: Bass Fishing
Moss spent roughly nine months mostly confined to his home during treatment. Since completing his treatment last fall and being declared in remission, he has barely put down a fishing rod. He also returned to his ESPN analyst role for the season, with bass fishing becoming what he describes as a third career of sorts. "That's my passion right now. That's my hobby. That's my getaway. That's my therapy," Moss told the Associated Press this week.
Moss and his business partner, Andrew Grein, are now filming a documentary series called "Chasing 10," featuring celebrity guests who join Moss on the water as he hunts for the legendary 10-pound largemouth bass. The series doubles as a charity project. Each season, Moss auctions off a custom-made boat to benefit the Children's Cancer Research Fund in Minnesota. The man beat cancer and immediately started raising money to fight it for others. Iconic, honestly.
'Just a Kid in a Candy Store'
Moss told reporters he still has quarterly checkups every four months but is feeling great. "I had to take a year off to get myself back right, but my health is great. I have the bass waiting on me — I'm just a kid in a candy store having fun, man." His wife Lydia was his primary caregiver throughout the ordeal. The Hall of Famer who once made NFL defensive backs look foolish every Sunday is now happily humbling himself on a boat, chasing fish with celebrities. Retirement plans, redefined.
Moss's journey from a cancer diagnosis to remission and a new passion for fishing has inspired many. His documentary series not only showcases his love for the sport but also serves as a platform to give back to the community. By auctioning boats for cancer research, Moss continues to fight the disease that once threatened his life. His story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of finding joy in new beginnings.
