University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders shot down a question about his health from a reporter with The Athletic, accusing the outlet of publishing “bull-junk.”
Speaking at Big 12 Media Days at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the NFL Hall of Famer refused to discuss his undisclosed medical issues.
“Coach, what have been the challenges of your health issues, and what does an average day look like for you?” asked reporter David Ubben.
Sanders was quick and terse with his response.
“Athletic, sometimes y’all be on that bull-junk, so I’m really not gonna tell you much. You know that. But I’m not here to talk about my health,” he fired back. “I’m here to talk about my team.”
@wfaach8 Deion Sanders was asked about his health issues at Big 12 Media Days #deionsanders #coloradofootball #colorado #big12 #collegefootball #cfb #dallas ♬ original sound – WFAA
Deion Sanders’ Health Issues Remain a Mystery
As Sportsnaut readers are well aware, Deion Sanders was absent from the team’s annual summer football camps last month, with reports suggesting the 57-year-old coach was dealing with an unspecified health issue and had been recovering.
His eldest son, Deion Sanders Jr., shared in a YouTube livestream on June 8th that his father was “feeling well” but did not provide details or a timeline for his ailment.
“Coach Prime” hinted at health struggles on a May 30 podcast with former NFL player Asante Samuel, mentioning a 14-pound weight loss and describing his condition as being at “a whole other level.”
“What I’m dealing with right now is a whole other level,” Sanders told Samuel. “I’m coming back, but I needed this. I needed this exchange because I haven’t had any energy.”
For whatever reason, and as is his right, the Buffaloes coach has been unwilling to detail what led to his drastic weight loss and lethargy.
And he didn’t appreciate even being asked about it.
RELATED: Coach Prime Sidelined – Deion Sanders Misses Colorado Camps Due to Health Concerns
Not His First or Worst Run-in With a Reporter
Despite initially bristling at the question, Sanders was quick to flash a smile and pivot to what a day looks like for him on the range.
“Average day? I’m looking good. I’m living lovely. God has truly blessed me,” he replied to Ubben. “Not a care in the world. Not a want or desire in the world. Thank you, sir.”
‘Neon’ Deion certainly looks healthy and seems pretty happy about his current state, based on that answer. That’s all anybody can really hope for.
This interaction was tame compared to one of Sander’s most infamous run-ins with a reporter. You may recall Deion dumping ice water on late sports broadcaster Tim McCarver – repeatedly – when the latter criticized him for abandoning the Atlanta Braves in the middle of a playoff series to play for the Falcons.
Last season, a reporter from The Denver Post was banned due to negative coverage of the Buffaloes. Ubben should feel fortunate by comparison.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son, believes that 99% of the criticism he has faced is actually directed at his father because of his past behavior.
