Deion Sanders shared that after doctors found a cancerous tumor, they decided against removing his bladder to ensure he could have visitors during recovery.
In a discussion with former Dallas Cowboys teammate Michael Irvin, the Colorado football coach explained his reluctance for friends to see him during this challenging time, especially given the significant weight loss due to his health issues.
“I think you were the first person I didn’t want to see… I’ve lost 12 pounds now, but was down 20-25,” Sanders, 57, revealed, noting that he only permitted his children to see him.
He mentioned that his sons, Chedur and Shiro, had no idea about his condition. Chedur, now with the Browns after being picked fifth in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Shiro, who is trying for a spot on the Buccaneers, both transitioned from Jackson to play under their father in Colorado.
Sanders reminisced about some tough moments post-surgery while recovering at a ranch in Texas. “There were times I couldn’t even eat, didn’t have an appetite; I was losing weight,” he reflected. “You look in the mirror and wonder, ‘Who is that?'”
He admitted he didn’t want visitors during those moments, feeling unwell. Irvin noted that Sanders struggled to communicate during that period because of his condition. “You’ve come at a difficult time,” Sanders remarked, explaining he was coughing a lot and found it hard to talk. Yet, he appreciated Irvin’s support, acknowledging that he brought him a sense of vigor and determination to fight.
Though not currently diagnosed with cancer, Sanders explained he was faced with the choice between undergoing chemotherapy for weeks or having his bladder removed. “It was very aggressive,” he noted, recalling how he was distracted during the April 25 draft because of the looming surgery scheduled for May.
He was diagnosed with bladder cancer on April 14 and subsequently had surgery on May 9. “It was a tough time, ensuring everything with my property was taken care of… You never really know what could happen,” Sanders said.
His diagnosis came as a result of routine checks related to blood clots in his legs and feet, following an amputation of his left big toe and second toe in 2021 due to similar issues. He expressed that he had felt perfectly healthy before the diagnosis, feeling “as healthy as a cow.”
During a recent press conference, Sanders, who had taken a leave from his team due to unspecified health issues, spoke alongside Dr. Janet Kukleja from the Colorado Cancer Center. He answered several questions, noting, “We can’t control the bladder,” adding he often found himself up several times a night needing to use the restroom, sharing that he felt a kinship with his grandchild in their shared struggles.
During his recovery, actress Karrueche Tran was present with him in the hospital, holding his hand as he was taken to the operating room, a moment captured in a video shared by his son Deion Jr.
Sanders successfully led Colorado to a 9-4 record in his second season, and he signed a five-year, $54 million contract extension back in March. The Buffaloes are set to take on Georgia Tech in Boulder on August 29 for their 2025 season opener.
