Moss receives support from another NFL product in the state after cancer diagnosis

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former NFL cornerback and Marshall University star Carl Lee is supporting fellow Marshall football legend Randy Moss as he battles cancer.

Moss revealed his cancer diagnosis last Friday on Instagram, only shortly after pulling out of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.

Lee, the 12-year NFL veteran and three-time Pro Bowl defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings, says Moss, the Rand native, is in his prayers.

“I think we should just be thankful that he caught it early, at least in some way, but it looks like he’s going to be fine and I’m sending my prayers up to him every chance I get , I can,” Lee said.

Moss, who is 47 years old, played for Marshall University in 1996 and 1997 after graduating from Dupont High School, where he was honored as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1997, passing for 1,820 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Herd as the team’s star. wide receiver.

Moss was then selected in the first round of the 1998 draft by Lee’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings. Moss would play the first seven seasons of his 14-year Hall of Fame career in Minnesota before returning to the purple and gold for four games in 2010.

Lee says it’s hard to think of a figure as big as Moss being affected by the disease.

“It was challenging to think that he could have it (cancer). You think, here’s this greatest athlete, how could this happen to him?” Lee said. “It’s really a blessing that he was able to get the best care possible.”

Moss announced Friday that he had spent most of last week in the hospital for a necessary procedure to remove some cancer-causing material from his body.

Lee says Moss’ success both on the field and in the ESPN studio is just part of an inspiring story of triumph despite many obstacles.

“Despite all the challenges he’s been through, he’s still there and he’s still finding his way to success, and to me I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think it’s a blessing that he gets and is well deserved,” said Lee.

In her Instagram video announcing her diagnosis, Moss used her platform to reach out to male followers, asking them to get regular checkups and not delay blood tests or other necessary medical care.

Lee says Moss is a role model, and his first-hand experience fighting cancer proves it’s more than just catching footballs.

“If you’re looking for an example in sports, he’s the guy. If you’re looking for an example in life as a man, here’s your guy,” Lee said. “To me, I felt like he said that he all along made the point, which is that he’s now stepping away from the sports guy and into life. I think now he’s trying to be that life coach because he’s had that scare. He knows what it’s like. He knows what he needs to hear it.”

Lee also says that Moss’ words must be spread and acted upon.

“We should be talking about him on a positive level because of who he is and we should be talking about him beating cancer,” Lee said. “We should take his word, for men, to go to check. We shouldn’t let it fall on deaf ears. We need to hear that.”

On Sunday’s NFL Countdown, Moss is featured in a segment called “You got Mossed,” where he has athletes from across the NFL, NCAA and even high school football make spectacular catches over the top of the defender. The catch, of course, mimics Moss’ leaping touchdown catch in Morgantown against WVU in 1997 over cornerback Nate Terry.

Lee says the first time Moss says the phrase on ESPN again will be special.

“I think the very first time he even says it (‘You got mossed’) will be like a moment of relief and jubilation for everybody, and probably even for him,” Lee said. “I think it’s going to be exciting to get a chance to say it, and I think people will be excited to hear it.”