Former NFL star Damien Woody has revealed he was hospitalized and had his appendix and part of his colon removed in a recent health battle.

Woody, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and former New York Jets star, took to social media to thank his doctors and share the latest on his condition.

The 48-year-old urged fans to 'get your checkups' after his worrying ordeal and subsequent road to recovery.  

'Want to give folks a health update,' Woody wrote. 'Had a colonoscopy and from that have been hospitalized after having had my appendix and part of my colon removed. 

'I want to thank all the doctors and nurses at Morristown Medical Center for the tremendous care I received. 

'For the masses…mmm please get your checkups! Life is too short and too precious.' 

Woody has had a tumultuous year, leaving ESPN two months ago after they did not renew his contract, ending his 15-year tenure with the network since retiring from playing.

Woody had been a mainstay on various shows across the network since 2011, including SportsCenter, NFL Live and Get Up. 

However, he became the latest big-name casualty in the most recent round of cuts by the network, following fellow former players Ryan Clark and Cam Newton in being let go. 

He remained on air even after news of his impending exit became public, working through until the end of his contract and telling The Athletic: 'Being at ESPN for 15 years, it's been an absolute joy.'

He later wrote on social media: 'Still processing it all but I want to thank all of my colleagues at ESPN who made it a joy to talk ball for 15 yrs. 

'Being a guy who had a serious speech impediment to working on tv was truly one of my proudest accomplishments. Looking forward to what God has in store for me next!'

Woody has since joined 'The OG Football Show' on YouTube, working with fellow former ESPN staff members Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Merril Hoge. 

Woody was reportedly on a seven-figure salary at ESPN after FS1 attempted to poach him for a flagship morning show with Craig Carton four years ago, prompting ESPN to pull out all the stops to keep him.

They blocked the move and gave him a new extension, but informed him in the latest round of cuts that his contract would not be renewed. Woody reacted by saying: 'At the end of the day, I just want to talk ball.'