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Vikings, Justin Jefferson Pay Sweet Tribute to Randy Moss on MNF Amid Cancer Battle

Jefferson shouted Moss out with a touching message after his touchdown.

Eva Geitheim

Cris Carter and Jake Reed walk out with a Randy Moss jersey before Minnesota Vikings game vs. Chicago Bears.
Cris Carter and Jake Reed walk out with a Randy Moss jersey before Minnesota Vikings game vs. Chicago Bears. / Screenshot via NFL
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Three days after Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss announced his cancer diagnosis, the Vikings paid tribute to Moss ahead of Monday Night Football. Prior to kickoff for the primetime game against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota's honorary captains Cris Carter and Jake Reed walked out for the coin toss holding a No. 84 Moss Vikings jersey.

As Carter and Reed walked out while holding Moss's jersey, Vikings PA announcer Alan Roach stated over the loudspeakers at U.S. Bank Stadium, "In honor of Randy Moss, and all those fighting cancer, let's Moss cancer."

The moment was met with "Randy!" chants from the crowd, and the Vikings social media team added: "you're with us tonight, 84."

Carter, who played alongside Moss on the Vikings from 1998 to 2001 as a dominant receiving tandem, has also expressed his thoughts toward his former teammate during what has been a trying time.

"What Randy is going through right now, I couldn't imagine what he's going through. I couldn't imagine," Carter said, via CBS News. "So, as teammates, collectives, organization, we're just praying for him and his family." 

The tributes to Moss continued into the game. After Justin Jefferson scored the first touchdown of the game to give Minnesota a 10–0 lead, he looked to the cameras and said, "we love you, Randy! That's for you."

Numerous members of the media, as well as current and former NFL players have paid tribute to Moss since he announced his cancer diagnosis. Cris Collinsworth, Mike Tirico, Adam Thielen, Myles Garrett, Tom Brady, and Rob Gronkowski are among the many players and personalities who have sent well wishes to Moss.

Moss shared on Instagram Live that he was hospitalized for six days after undergoing surgery and an intense procedure to remove the cancer. He will undergo radiation and chemotherapy in the follow up from surgery.

ESPN announced earlier this month that Moss would take time away from Sunday NFL Countdown, but the 47-year-old said his plan is to get back to the program when healthy.

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Eva Geitheim
EVA GEITHEIM

Eva Geitheim is a breaking/trending news writer at Sports Illustrated. She is a UCLA graduate with a Bachelor's degree in communications. Prior to joining SI, Eva wrote for Newsweek, Gymnastics Now, and Dodgers Nation. She is a proud Bay Area native. When not writing, she can be found baking or re-watching Gilmore Girls.

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