Deion Sanders’ Courageous Battle: Bladder Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery in the Spotlight
In a heartfelt press conference on July 28, 2025, Colorado Buffaloes head football coach Deion Sanders, affectionately known as “Coach Prime,” revealed a deeply personal health struggle: a diagnosis of aggressive bladder cancer earlier this year. The Pro Football Hall of Famer, joined by his medical team, including Dr. Janet Kukreja, Director of Urological Oncology at UCHealth, and assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold, shared that he underwent surgery to remove his bladder in May after a malignant tumor was discovered. The procedure, which involved reconstructing a new bladder from a section of his intestine, was a success, with Dr. Kukreja declaring Sanders “cured” of the cancer—a term she emphasized she does not use lightly.
The cancer was detected during a routine CT scan for Sanders’ ongoing vascular issues, related to previous blood clots that led to the amputation of two toes in 2021. The tumor, described as “very high-grade, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer,” had invaded the bladder wall but not the muscle layer, offering a window for effective treatment. Faced with the choice of ongoing chemotherapy with a 50% recurrence risk or a full bladder removal, Sanders opted for the latter to prioritize his coaching and family commitments.
Sanders, 57, candidly discussed the life-altering changes post-surgery, including significant weight loss of about 25 pounds and the use of incontinence products like Depends, humorously noting, “I can’t pee like I used to pee.” He also shared plans to have portable toilets on the sidelines during games, reflecting his resilience and ability to find humor in adversity. Despite the challenges, Sanders remained upbeat, emphasizing his faith and gratitude: “I never said, ‘Why me?’… God is so good.” He urged others, particularly men, to get regular checkups, crediting early detection for his survival.
The announcement ended months of speculation about Sanders’ absence from the Colorado campus during the offseason, as he recovered at his Texas ranch. He kept the diagnosis private, even from his sons Shedeur and Shilo, who were preparing for their NFL careers, to avoid distracting them. His daughters Shelomi and Deiondra, however, were by his side throughout. Sanders also drew strength from friends like Randy Moss, who, battling his own cancer, called regularly to offer support.
Now back in Boulder and ready to lead the Buffaloes into the 2025 season, starting August 29 against Georgia Tech, Sanders’ journey has sparked widespread admiration. His transparency aims to inspire others to prioritize health screenings, with posts on X echoing his message: “If it could happen to Prime, it could happen to anyone.” As he steps back onto the field, Sanders’ story is not just one of survival but of purpose, proving that even in the face of cancer, his indomitable spirit remains unbroken.