Randy Moss Rings Hospital Bell to Mark End of Cancer Treatment, Plans ESPN Return
The Pro Football Hall of Famer rang the bell at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute nine months after stepping away from ESPN to undergo treatment for cholangiocarcinoma
Randy Moss rang the bell at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte on Thursday to mark the end of his cancer treatment, nearly nine months after stepping away from his ESPN duties to undergo surgery for a rare bile duct cancer.
Moss, 48, who left the network's Sunday NFL Countdown in December 2024, has been treated for cholangiocarcinoma. Hospital staff said the receiver-turned-broadcaster underwent surgery to remove cancerous cells and is now cancer-free. Moss embraced members of the care team after the traditional bell-ringing ceremony that hospitals often use to mark the completion of a course of treatment.
The former wide receiver is scheduled to return to Sunday NFL Countdown later in 2025 and resume his role as a broadcaster at ESPN. Moss, a Pro Football Hall of Famer widely regarded as one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, had publicly stepped back from his on-air responsibilities last December to focus on treatment.
In interviews earlier this year, Moss described the experience as an "emotional roller coaster." He has not outlined a precise date for his on-air return, but ESPN and the network's programming schedule have indicated he is expected back before the end of the year. Atrium Health officials confirmed the bell ceremony and said the hospital supports patients who choose to share milestones marking the end of active treatment.
Moss's playing career included standout stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and other teams, and he entered broadcasting following his retirement from the NFL. The announcement that he is cancer-free and preparing to resume his role at ESPN drew messages of support from fans and colleagues on social media and from the sports media community.
The bell-ringing tradition varies by institution but is commonly used to mark the end of a patient’s active treatment phase, such as completing surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Hospital staff in Charlotte described Thursday’s ceremony as an emotional moment for Moss and members of the care team.
ESPN had no immediate additional comment Thursday. Moss's recovery and planned return to television will be watched closely by supporters and viewers as he transitions back into his broadcasting career while continuing follow-up care as advised by his medical team.