Deion Sanders Reveals He Was Treated for Bladder Cancer and Had Bladder Removed

NEED TO KNOW

• Deion Sanders has opened up about his bladder cancer
• Sanders, 57, said it's been "a whole life change" since losing his bladder
• He has previously dealt with circulatory and blood clot issues resulting in an amputation of toes in 2021 and leg surgeries in 2023

After extensive speculation, Deion Sanders finally revealed the specifics of his ongoing health issues.

The Colorado Buffaloes head coach, 57, said in a Monday afternoon press conference that he has been dealing with bladder cancer and had his bladder removed during an offseason surgery, as his doctor said Sanders has been "cured" of the disease.

“I am pleased to report that the results from the surgeries are that he is cured from the cancer,” Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center told members of the media.

The doctor spoke alongside Coach Prime and Lauren Askevold, the University of Colorado football team's assistant athletic trainer, at Monday's press conference at the school's athletic center.

“When we hear that word, it’s usually a life sentence attached to it," Sanders said during an emotional point of the press conference. "But not this time. Not this time, because God got me."

Sanders said it's been "a whole change" getting used to life without a bladder and the difficulty he's been having using the bathroom, now that he's depending on a urostomy bag.

“Slowly but surely, I built myself back up," Coach Prime said. "I’m able, I’m strong. it has been a tremendous journey and I’m truly thankful that god is so good. God is so good, you have no idea. You have no idea how good god has been for me to be here. You have no idea.”

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Sanders, who had two toes amputated in 2021 as a result of circulation issue, has kept quiet about his previously unspecified medical issue he first mentioned in June. 

The health issue prevented Sanders from returning to Boulder to start his preseason coaching duties with the Buffaloes.

The two time Super Bowl champion has spent the offseason in his Texas home. In a Big 12 Media Days in early July in Frisco, Texas he said he was not “all the way recovered.”

In the meantime, Sanders has left his assistant coaches in charge of summer practice. When asked how much he'll rely on his assistant coaches during the regular season, Coach Prime insinuated he's 100% back in control.

“I don’t rely on them, I’m back,” Sanders said. “I don’t rely on them. I’m with them.”

Throughout his bladder cancer battle this offseason, Sanders said he kept the diagnosis from his sons but told his daughters, who supported him the whole time.

"The process wasn't easy," Sanders said. "My sons to this day don’t know what’s transpired. I wanted them to really focus on making the team." Sanders said his daughters Shelomi and Deiondra were aware, adding they “have not left” his side since finding out.

In the 2023 offseason, Sanders, nicknamed “Coach Prime,” underwent two surgeries to resolve blood clot issues in his legs, two years after the amputation of two toes.

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Sanders said he lost around 25 pounds in recent months.

Coach Prime joked frequently throughout his press conference, putting a positive spin on his diagnosis and recovery — especially while talking about his difficulty peeing. Sanders told the media that fans should expect to see a porta-potty on the sideline during upcoming Colorado games to help him get through each contest.

“If you see a porta-potty on the sideline, it’s real,” Sanders laughed while noting he was being serious. “I’m telling you, you’re going to see it.”

Having recovered, Sanders will return to a new-look Buffaloes with the departure of Sanders’ son Shedeur in the draft to the Cleveland Browns and 2025 Heisman winner Travis Hunter to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We already got one win stacked up,” Sanders smiled as he reflected on the upcoming season.

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