Deion Sanders Reveals Sobering Health Update Before Return To Colorado Buffaloes

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As the Colorado Buffaloes gear up for their third season under coach Deion Sanders, there’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding the program. But this time, it’s not just about football.
“Coach Prime” has been away from Boulder in recent weeks while battling bladder cancer. Sanders revealed the news that he is fully cured on Monday, but on Sunday evening, a new video posted to the Well Off Media YouTube channel and Sanders' Instagram shed new light on just how serious that battle has been.

“Last night was tough, yesterday was tough, because I had to make a will,” Sanders said solemnly in the video. “That’s not easy at all to think that you may not be here.”
Sanders didn’t go into specific detail about the illness in the video, but his tone underscored the gravity of what he’s been facing.
Colorado fans have expressed concern over his prolonged absence from team activities this summer, and the news that he had to prepare for the worst only adds to the weight of the situation.
The video, filmed on May 9, shows a vulnerable side of Sanders we rarely see as he reflects on the emotional process of making end-of-life arrangements. Though he maintained his usual poise, the admission was a stark reminder of how health challenges can strike even the most high-profile figures in sports.

On Monday, Sanders' doctors revealed that the Colorado coach had his bladder removed after the tumor was discovered. His son, Deion Sanders Jr., offered a more hopeful message in the same video. He described the health scare as a battle “fought and won,” suggesting that Coach Prime is now on the mend.
“As the battle was fought and the battle was won,” Sanders Jr. said. “That's a little bit of what he went through. A little sample. Tomorrow he's having his press conference, and that's when y'all really going to see a lot of it, after that press conference is over with.”
Coach Prime is expected to speak publicly about his condition during a press conference today, and fans are eagerly awaiting more clarity. If his son’s tone is any indication, it appears the worst may be behind him, but the emotional toll may still linger.

This isn’t the first time Sanders has faced serious health challenges. In 2022, while coaching at Jackson State, he underwent multiple surgeries on his foot, resulting in the amputation of two toes. Despite those setbacks, he returned to the sidelines with the same intensity and swagger that made him a Hall of Fame player and one of college football’s most recognizable coaches.
Now, as he prepares to rejoin his team ahead of fall camp, the personal battle Sanders has endured over the summer adds yet another chapter to his already remarkable story.
MORE: Deion Sanders Gives Positive Update On Health Issues At Big 12 Media Days
MORE: Deion Sanders Wants Salary Cap In College Football, Transfer Portal Investigations, NFL Rules

His return couldn’t come at a more critical time for Colorado, as the Buffaloes begin life without legendary quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter.
Whether coaching or recovering, Sanders continues to be one of the most compelling figures in college football, not just for his bold personality or sideline presence, but for his resilience and transparency in moments like these.

Ben Armendariz is a reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI, part of the Sports Illustrated Network. While earning his bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Sports Media from the University of Colorado, he contributed to Buffs coverage through CUBuffs.com and Sko Buff Sports. He’s also covered professional combat sports as a contributor for FloCombat. A lifelong sports fan, Ben is now pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Texas A&M University, with plans to build a long-term career in sports media. His passion for storytelling, in-depth analysis, and unique perspectives on sports marketing and sponsorships set his work apart. Outside of reporting and school, he enjoys attending Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets games and running his online vintage retail business.