CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Former NFL cornerback and Marshall University star Carl Lee is supporting fellow Marshall football legend Randy Moss in his battle against cancer.

Moss announced his cancer diagnosis on Instagram last Friday, just a short time after withdrawing from ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.

Lee, a 12-year NFL veteran and three-time Pro Bowl defenseman for the Minnesota Vikings, said Moss, the Rander native, is in his prayers.

“I think we should just be thankful that he caught it early, at least in some form, but it looks like he’s doing well and I’m sending my prayers to him whenever I can,” said Lee.

Moss, who is 47, 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 when he passed for 1,820 yards and 26 touchdowns as the team’s star Herd scored wide receiver.

Moss was then selected in the first round of the 1998 draft by Lee’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings. Moss played 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 imagine a figure as big as Moss being affected by the disease.

“It was challenging to think he could have this (cancer). You think, ‘Here’s this greatest athlete, how could this happen to him?'” Lee said. “It’s truly a blessing that he was able to receive probably the best care.”

Moss announced Friday that he spent most of the last week in the hospital undergoing a necessary procedure to remove cancer in 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 here and still finding his way to success and I don’t think that’s a coincidence. I think that’s a blessing that he’s getting and it’s well-deserved,” Lee said.

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

Lee says Moss is a role model, and his first-hand experience battling cancer proves it goes beyond just catching footballs.

“If you’re looking for a role model in sports, he’s the one. If you’re looking for an example of how to live as a man, look no further,” Lee said. “To me it felt like he was saying that, he was constantly pointing out that now he’s moving on from being an athlete and going into life. “I think now he’s trying to be this life coach because he has this fear had. He knows what it’s like. He knows what he has to do to hear that.”

Lee also says Moss’ words need to be spread and acted upon.

“We should talk about him on a positive level because of who he is, and we should talk about the fact that he beat cancer,” Lee said. “We should follow his words so that men can get themselves checked. We shouldn’t let this fall on deaf ears. We need to hear that.”

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

Lee says it will be special to see Moss utter that phrase for the first time again on ESPN.

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