Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, recently disclosed that he battled bladder cancer, a health struggle he kept private until now.
The diagnosis came after routine medical checks revealed abnormalities, leading to surgery and treatment earlier this year. And Coach offered some important advice.
“Men, everybody, get checked out. Because if it wasn’t for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled upon this,” Sanders said at a press conference on Monday.
“Make sure you get the right care because without wonderful people like this, I wouldn’t be sitting here today because it grew so expeditiously,” he urged.
“But please get yourself checked.”
Sanders and his medical team proceeded to explain the extent to which the cancer had spread and just how much of an ordeal Coach Prime had to go through to fight it.
Deion Sanders Fought a Tough Battle – And Won
Deion Sanders shared that he is now in recovery and feeling optimistic about his health. He chose to reveal this to inspire others facing similar challenges, emphasizing resilience and faith.
Sportsnaut readers know that he had kept the medical condition well-guarded from the media for some time. Sanders had been away from the team for much of the offseason initially due to unspecified reasons.
The matter had been ongoing for nearly two months. He hinted at health struggles on a podcast with former NFL player Asante Samuel in late May, mentioning a 14-pound weight loss and describing his condition as being at “a whole other level.”
In a video posted by his son, Deion Sanders Jr., last weekend, he indicated that he is not fully recovered but is actively working on his health. The video shows Sanders engaging in activities with his daughter, Shelomi, like a 1.3-mile “run-walk” and a recovery ice bath.
“You know I’m still going through something,” Sanders said as he prepared to get into the tub. “I ain’t all the way recovered.”
But he never let on exactly what was ailing him. Perhaps he wanted to be clear of the cancerous tumor before revealing any details to the media. Those details are heartbreaking.
Sanders’ medical team revealed that they “proceeded with the removal of the bladder tumor” and eventually removed the entire bladder before creating a new one.
RELATED: Deion Sanders Gives Worrying Update on Recent Health Issues: ‘Still Going Through Something’
Keeping His Sense of Humor
Despite the sensitive topic at the press conference, Deion Sanders was optimistic and kept his trademark sense of humor throughout.
“I can’t pee like I used to pee,” he quipped, adding, “I depend on Depends.”
Sanders said he and his grandson “are trying to see who has the heaviest bag at the end of the night.”
WATCH: Deion Sanders reveals he had bladder cancer, but it's now cured
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 28, 2025
"I can't pee like I used to…I depend on Depends…Me & my grandson are trying to see who has the biggest bag at the end of the night." 😂pic.twitter.com/3z9UzQ2AcD
Earlier this month, Sanders snapped at a reporter from The Athletic who asked about his situation during Big 12 Media Days, responding by accusing the outlet of reporting “bull junk.”
Now he’s being ultra-transparent. And he and his team provided the ultimate positive update.
“I am pleased to report that the results of the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer,” his doctor said.
God bless, and best wishes to Coach Prime on his recovery from cancer and the surgery that saved his life.
