Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent surgery to remove his bladder. Doctors confirmed the procedure was successful, declaring Sanders “cured.”
During a news conference in Boulder, Sanders asked his doctor if the cancer had been defeated, to which she replied, “It’s beaten.” The 57-year-old coach expressed his intention to return to lead the Buffaloes next season, joking he might need a “porta-potty on the sideline.” Sanders is a former NFL star who played 14 seasons and earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, including two Super Bowl wins. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sanders began his head coaching career at Jackson State, turning around the program with back-to-back conference championships before being hired by Colorado in 2023. Despite a 4-8 record in his first season, the Buffaloes improved to 9-4 in 2024 with a bowl appearance. His son, Shadeur Sanders, was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
Sanders had been away from Colorado earlier this year due to a health issue, reassuring fans on social media that he was okay and thanking everyone for their support. In a recent video shared by his son, Sanders opened up about the emotional challenge of making a will during his health scare. He signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension in March, keeping him with Colorado through the 2029 season.