EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings family is sending support to Randy Moss.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell opened his weekly Wednesday press conference with encouragement for the Hall of Fame and Vikings Ring of Honor receiver, who recently shared he's dealing with a health issue.
"I'm on my grown man right now," Moss said in a live video taken from the NFL Sunday Countdown set. "This is a message for all the men. I'm sitting here on NFL Countdown, and throughout the week of the holidays, your boy's been battling something internal, and I just ask for all the prayer warriors to put their blessing hands on me and my family through these hard times."
Moss acknowledged fans' comments the previous week about his eyes appearing discolored, then slipped on a pair of blue-tinted aviator sunglasses.
"Like I said, I'm battling something – something internal," he said. "You boy's gonna get through it. I've got a great team of doctors and a great family around me. All you men, you all do your checkups, get your bloodwork done, and we'll work through it."
O'Connell noted he had seen the post from Moss.
"I just want to, on behalf of the whole Minnesota Vikings organization, send him our well-wishes and support," O'Connell said. "We love Randy, and we know our fan base feels the same way. He's really revered by all Vikings fans and, really, by all NFL fans, the Hall of Famer that he is. Just want to let him know that we're here for him, here from Eagan, and we've always got his back."
O'Connell and Moss teamed together in New England during the 2008 season and had lockers near each other at the team facility.
"I remember my first practice, I think I threw a pat-and-go ball to him. Kind of got to him a little end-over-end, and instead of catching it, I think he spiked it on the ground," O'Connell recalled with a chuckle.
"Just always so wildly impressed by the way he prepared, just how much the game meant to him," he continued of Moss. "He loved playing football. He was a great teammate to everybody in that locker room, and his energy – infectious energy – really made us a better team and made players around him better. He's one of the best to ever do it, clearly."
Support has poured in for Moss, including from his NFL Sunday Countdown co-hosts, who donned their own glasses at the studio desk in solidarity.
Vikings Legend Greg Coleman also posted Moss' original video Sunday and encouraged fans to be in prayer for Moss.
