Colorado’s Deion Sanders battled, beat bladder cancer, now returns to team

Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders triumphed over early-stage bladder cancer this spring and summer. He still managed several public appearances, such as Big 12 Football Media in early July. (Photo by Lucy Alagna/Sko Buffs Sports)

In the media-packed Touchdown Club in the Dal Ward Center in Boulder on Monday morning, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders announced that he had his bladder removed after a tumor was discovered there. 

Coach Prime was joined by his medical team of Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University, and assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold. He expressed an upbeat yet serious tone as a cancer survivor.  

“We removed the tumor. It was very high-grade, invading through the bladder wall into the muscle layer,” Kukreja said. “I am pleased to report that the results from the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer.” 

Askevold said the bladder tumor was discovered during one of Sanders’ vascular exams, due to his history of blood clots that also led to him losing two toes. She also stated that the operation to remove his bladder was his 14th surgery since 2021. 

“He’s never folded nor waved, not one time. You couldn’t ask for a better patient because he wants to get up and get going right away, ” Askevold said. “So, it's been awesome. It’s been a hectic journey. It’s been a lot, but there's a blessing in disguise with all this.” 

Sanders said he did not reveal the seriousness to his family, team or close friends, including his NFL sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Sanders explained how his cancer battle has been a life-altering experience  

“I’m thankful, it’s been a tremendous journey. It’s been tough. I think I dropped 25 pounds,” Sanders said. “It’s a whole life change. I’m going to be transparent. I can't pee like I used to…Now I depend on Depend.” 

Sanders was out of the spotlight for months, other than an occasional fishing trip or his appearance at Big 12 Media Day at the beginning of the month. Despite refusing to answer questions about his health, he expressed appreciation for the other coaches in the conference supporting him. 

On the field, Coach Prime prepares for his third year with the Buffaloes. He’ll be without Hunter or Shedeur with a reworked roster and a new face under center. 

Despite the health issues, there was no doubt in Sanders’ mind that he wasn’t going to coach this season. 

“I always knew I was going to coach again," Sanders said. “It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that God wouldn’t allow me to coach again. [I] never thought like that.”