Colorado football coach Deion Sanders offered an update on his health July 28, noting he’s looking forward to the 2025 season after a scare with bladder cancer.
Sanders, heading into his third season with the Buffaloes, missed notable time throughout spring practices due for an undisclosed health-related reason, which was revealed to be the bladder cancer. Sanders’ bladder was then removed and replaced, curing his cancer, he and his doctors said at a press conference.
Sanders said he ‘can’t pee like I used to pee,’ but is grateful to be continuing his coaching career, also noting he ‘always knew I was going to coach again.’
“I depend on Depend if you know what I mean,’ Sanders said. ‘I cannot control my bladder. So, I get up to go to the bathroom already 4-5 times a night. And I’m sitting there waking up like my grandson. We in the same thing. We got the same problem right now. We’re going through the same trials and tribulations.”
Sanders was accompanied by his doctor, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado football assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his news conference on Monday. His new bladder was constructed with parts of his intestine, he said Monday.
Sanders said Colorado’s sideline will also look a bit different in 2025 as he recovers from his health scare, with portable toilets being nearby.
‘I’ve built myself back up to where I’m able, I’m strong, I’m ready,’ Sanders said Monday. ‘I’m still probably about 12 pounds down, but I’m going to get that right and fill these overalls up like no other.’
Kukreja said the only difference for Sanders moving forward will be adjusting to ‘a new way of life,’ but that his outlook looks good as he continues coaching. Sanders said not returning to coaching wasn’t a thought during his cancer battle.
‘I was always going to coach,’ he said. ‘It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that god wouldn’t allow me to coach again. (I) never thought like that. It’s just that, I didn’t want to be running down to the hospital once a week when I got all this on my plate. … I was even like, ‘can they bring on the machines and put them in the office?”
Sanders has quite the challenge entering his third season at Colorado, as he must replace reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., who was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He also has a new quarterback in either Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter or true freshman Julian Lewis, after his son, Shedeur Sanders, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in April.
The Buffaloes will look to build on their 9-4 finish last season, with their coach healthy and back in the saddle following his extended absence from the program.
‘I’m so thankful to be back in Boulder, you have no idea,’ Sanders said. ‘But I never doubted, one bit, that I wouldn’t be.’