NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss explains sunglasses on air: 'Battling something'

(NEXSTAR) — NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss has sparked concerns about his health after sharing that he may be wearing sunglasses while on TV.

Moss, now an analyst for ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown," started Sunday's show by explaining that viewers may see him wearing blue-tinted glasses in the studio as he and his family are "battling something internally."

In a clip of the show, shared online, Moss starts by addressing concerns viewers brought up about his eyes last week before saying he has "some great doctors around me."

"I couldn't miss the show, I wanted to be here with you guys, I feel great," Moss said, adding again that he is "battling something" and his use of sunglasses during the show was not to be "disrespectful."

Shortly before Sunday's show, Moss also posted a video on Instagram addressing the situation.

"This is a message for all the men," he begins after showing his fellow analysts. "Throughout the week of the holidays, your boy has been battling something internal," he continued, asking for prayers "through these hard times."

Moss again explained that there had been concerns expressed about his eyes recently and that he would be wearing sunglasses on air at times. He then encouraged men watching the video to "do your checkups, get your bloodwork done."

"We'll work through it, all right?" he added. In a separate video, Moss said he knew people would be "concerned and asking questions."

"Like I said, at this time, man, I'm going to keep a lot of things private and y'all just bear with me," he said.

Moss spent 14 seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the first round of the 1998 Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. After seven seasons with the Vikings (plus a few games in the 2010 season), Moss played for the then-Oakland Raiders, the New England Patriots, the Tennessee Titans, and the San Francisco 49ers.

During his career, Moss was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and played in two Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

He has been an analyst on "Sunday NFL Countdown" since 2016, according to Yahoo! Sports, making him the longest-tenured on the show.