Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders publicly revealed he quietly battled and overcame aggressive bladder cancer, crediting early detection, skilled doctors, and his faith in God for saving his life. At a July 28 press conference, Sanders confirmed surgeons removed his bladder and rebuilt his urinary system, declaring himself “cancer-free” and thanking God for sustaining him through the ordeal.
Sanders explained the diagnosis came unexpectedly during a routine cardiovascular check-up earlier this year. Doctors discovered a high-grade, non–muscle invasive bladder tumor. Under the care of Dr. Janet Kukreja at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Sanders underwent complete bladder removal followed by reconstructive surgery using a portion of his intestine. His medical team confirmed the operation was successful and that there were no remaining cancerous cells.
The journey added to a growing list of medical challenges for Sanders, who has endured 14 surgeries since 2021, including procedures to remove blood clots and two toe amputations. He lost roughly 25 pounds during cancer treatment but has since regained strength. “God is so good,” Sanders said. “You have no idea how good God has been for me to be here.”
The coach admitted he kept the diagnosis private to protect his family, especially his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders as they prepared for the NFL draft. He confided only in his oldest son, Deion Jr. (“Bucky”), and his daughters Shelomi and Deiondra, who supported him through recovery. “I didn’t want to distract them,” Sanders said. “I wanted them to really focus.”
Sanders urged the public to stay vigilant with their health, noting the tumor was only caught because of unrelated testing. “If it wasn’t for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled up on this,” he said. His gratitude extended to his medical team and to the fans who prayed for him during his absence from public view.
NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin grew emotional upon hearing Sanders’ story, while Shedeur offered encouragement with a short message: “When preseason comes, watch me work.” Sanders said his focus is now fully on the Buffaloes’ upcoming season, joking that the only adjustment will be making sure there’s “a porta-potty on the sideline.”
