Larry Fitzgerald’s father criticized for sharing disturbing health ‘update’ about Randy Moss

Thaddeus Moss, the son of Hall of Famer Randy Moss, refuted the claim made by Larry Fitzgerald Sr. regarding his father’s health. Fitzgerald Sr., father of former Cardinals player Larry Jr., had suggested that Randy Moss was dealing with liver cancer, which Thaddeus Moss strongly denied, condemning the assertion as ‘disgusting.’

The controversy arose when Fitzgerald Sr. seemingly disclosed the health status of Randy Moss, who had recently disclosed facing a ‘personal health challenge’ without going into specifics. This public statement by Fitzgerald Sr. sparked criticism from fans and ignited a social media response from Thaddeus Moss in defense of his father.

Thaddeus Moss took to social media to express his disapproval of the unauthorized disclosure by Fitzgerald Sr. regarding his father’s health status. By denouncing the claim and labeling it as ‘disgusting,’ Thaddeus Moss aimed to set the record straight and protect his father’s privacy. The incident highlighted the sensitivity of personal health information and the importance of respecting individuals’ privacy, even those in the public eye.

‘This is disgusting,’ he wrote on X. ‘You have no right to try to make private matters public for the sake of engagement. I do not believe my father talks to you, so check your f*****g sources.’

Even Fitzgerald Sr.’s own son later urged him not to ‘speculate’ on Moss’ health.

‘Dad, I think it’s best to respect his privacy on this,’ Larry Jr. wrote. ‘If he feels ready to share more about his health, he will. In the meantime, let’s focus on sending him positive energy, prayers, and support rather than speculating.’

Thaddeus replied to several more accounts saying the rumor about his father was not true. That included former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who offered prayers to Moss and his family and shared the erroneous cancer claims.

‘Brett, the support is appreciated, truly,’ Thaddeus said. ‘This is not true. My father will address the world when he is ready to.’

Last week, ESPN announced that Moss, a regular on the network’s Sunday NFL Countdown program, was stepping back to focus on his health.

He wore sunglasses on his final Sunday NFL Countdown appearance and admitted only that he was ‘battling something internally’. 

On Tuesday night, however, Larry Fitzgerald Sr. claimed on social media that Moss is battling liver cancer. 

‘Just heard that Vikings HOF Randy Moss has liver cancer. Let’s show the power of prayer and pull Moss through this. I love you Randy,’ he wrote on X.

Fitzgerald Sr. claims to be ‘a giant of Twin Cities sports media’ who works as a ‘writer, producer, talk show host and commentator’.

His website bio says he has been the sports editor and columnist with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, ‘one of the Midwest’s strongest and oldest African American news journals,’ for 35 years.

But, with no official confirmation, Fitzgerald Sr.’s post caused a storm on Tuesday night, with many NFL fans pointing out that Moss had kept details of his health battle private.

‘This wasn’t your story to tell man,’ one wrote. ‘You should be ashamed of yourself for posting this. Too put another man’s private business out there on social media like this,’ another said. 

‘It’s obvious he’s done everything to not let the actual illness be released but you decided you needed to release that info?’ asked a third.

‘Jesus dude. He specifically avoided saying what he was going through last Sunday when he was wearing shades. But you think it’s ok for you to share?’ another fan said.

DailyMail.com has reached out to both Fitzgerald Sr. and Thaddeus for comment.

Moss was a boyhood mentor to Fitzgerald Jr., a receiver who spent 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. 

‘He taught me this game. I grew up immortalizing him, watching him, trying to emulate what he was doing every single day,’ Fitzgerald said of Moss in 2017.

‘And I remember him supporting me in high school, coming to my practices, and giving me cleats and gloves, letting me use his car for prom, taking care of me after I washed his cars, letting me come to the house and play basketball.’

Thaddeus, 26, played college football at North Carolina State and LSU as a tight end before going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.

He spent time with Washington and Cincinnati in the NFL but never appeared in a game, before playing in both the UFL and CFL.

He announced his retirement from football in May.