"Game recognize game": NFL fans praise Adam Thielen's tribute to Randy Moss as legend reveals cancer battle

While the entire NFL community is still reeling from the shock of Randy Moss' Friday revelation that he had been battling cancer, former Minnesota Vikings WR and lifelong fan of Moss, Adam Thielen paid a touching tribute to the former 6× Pro Bowler during the Carolina Panthers’ pregame warmup. Thielen arrived donning Moss’ iconic No. 84 Vikings jersey.

Once the pictures of the nod went viral, NFL fans' hearts were full.

"Game recognize game," one fan wrote.

Another fan commented, "Underrated WR. AT is a bad man!"

Meanwhile, a third fan noted, "Adam Thielen is a class act! I’ll be cheering for the Panthers today just off of this!"

On Friday, Randy Moss took to Instagram Live to share with his fans how he has recovered from cancer after a challenging hospital stay.

“I’ve told y’all over the last couple of weeks about me battling something internally, and your boy is a cancer survivor,” the retired NFL WR announced.

He continued:

“I’ve been in the hospital for six days. I just got out today — thank God!”

It explained why he had been absent from ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" since early December.

Adam Thielen channeled Randy Moss' legacy in 2017

In November 2017, Adam Thielen's childhood dream came true after the Vikings' wide receiver hit 916 receiving yards after a 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams. By reaching that number, Thielen became the first Vikings player since Randy Moss in 2003 to cross 900 yards in the team’s first 10 games.

Thielen’s connection to Randy Moss runs deep. As a Detroit Lakes, Minnesota native, he grew up emulating the legendary ex-NFL WR. So much so that he even dressed as Moss with the 84 no. jersey, eye black, and signature bandana during childhood.

“Obviously, Randy is an idol of mine, a guy who made me want to play the game and made me want to play receiver,” Thielen said back in November 2017 after the Vikings vs. Rams clash.

He added:

“I’m very thankful for what he did for me and this game. I have a lot of respect for him, but I’m really not even thinking about stats right now or anything like that. Just trying to win games.”

Well, Adam Thielen’s foray into the NFL is as improbable as it is inspiring. Undrafted out of Division II Minnesota State, he fought for his place in the NFL and eventually earned his spot in the Vikings' roster.

After playing for the Vikings from 2013-2022, he was released by the team. After which, Thielen joined the Panthers on March 19, 2023, on a three-year $25 million contract.