Randy Moss’ son angrily defends himself against reports of his father’s health problems

The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss reacted angrily Tuesday to a social media post that appeared to reveal the illness his father is currently suffering from.

The former Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots star revealed on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” on Dec. 1 that he is “struggling with something internal” and asked for prayers. Later in the week, ESPN said Moss would be taking a leave of absence from the network to deal with an illness that he did not disclose.

However, journalist Larry Fitzgerald Sr., father of retired NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, wrote in a post on X that he had heard that Moss had been diagnosed with liver cancer.

This sparked a response from Moss’ son Thaddeus, who called Fitzgerald’s post “disgusting” and added: “You have no right to try to make private matters public for the sake of engagement.”

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The report was reinforced by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who played with Moss when the wide receiver briefly returned to Minnesota in 2010.

“Brett, we really appreciate the support,” Thaddeus Moss replied to X. “That’s not true. My father will address the world when he is ready.”

Randy Moss, 47, played in the NFL for 13 years, retiring in 2011 before returning for one final season in 2012. He ranks second on the career receiver touchdown list with 156 (behind only Jerry Rice) and fourth all-time in receiving yards with 15,292.

While on the ESPN set before his leave of absence, Moss recorded a video asking his followers for prayers.

“Throughout the holiday week, your boy was struggling with something inside,” Moss said in an Instagram video. “I just ask all prayer warriors to lay their blessed hands on me and my family during these difficult times.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Randy Moss’ son Thaddeus reports on his father’s illness