NFL Hall of Famer, HBCU trailblazer, and current head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes—shared some deeply personal news this week: he’s officially cancer-free.
After a months-long private battle with bladder cancer, Sanders made the announcement during a press conference on July 28, revealing he underwent bladder removal surgery earlier this year and has now been declared cured by doctors.
“They removed my bladder and built me a new one,” Sanders said, standing beside his medical team. “I had cancer. Now, I don’t.”
Coach Prime’s journey began earlier this year during a routine checkup, where doctors discovered a high-risk form of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Sanders said he didn’t have symptoms—just a gut feeling that something wasn’t right. That checkup likely saved his life.
Dr. Janet Kukreja, Director of Urologic Oncology at UCHealth, performed the procedure and addressed the media alongside Sanders. She stated, “Coach Sanders had his bladder removed after a malignant tumor was found. He is cured of the cancer.”
Dr. Kukreja is a nationally recognized leader in robotic urologic surgery and performs more than 150 bladder removal surgeries annually. Her team used a minimally invasive approach, which she said helped Sanders recover faster than expected.
As the diagnosis came in, Sanders chose to keep it private. He didn’t even tell his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, until the surgery was over—wanting them to stay focused on preparing for the NFL Draft. Only his eldest son and daughters were told ahead of time.
What followed was an emotional and physical fight that saw Sanders lose 25 pounds, go through major surgery, and adapt to life with a reconstructed bladder. At one point, he even prepared a will, unsure if he’d make it through.
Now, on the other side of the battle, Sanders is using his story to push a bigger message—especially to Black men: go to the doctor. Don’t wait. Don’t guess. Get checked.
“Brothers, we gotta take care of ourselves,” he told reporters. “Stop being ashamed. Stop being scared. Early detection saved my life.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Sanders stayed true to form—joking with reporters about needing Depends and saying there might be a port-a-potty on the sidelines this fall. His message was clear: he’s still Prime, still coaching, and still committed to leading his team.
And yes, he’s still coaching. Sanders confirmed he’ll be on the sidelines this season when Colorado opens their schedule on August 29 against Georgia Tech. Even after surgery, he said he never once considered stepping away from the game.
“I love what I do. I’m not going nowhere.”
For HBCU supporters and fans, this is more than a health update—it’s a full-circle moment. Sanders made national headlines when he brought attention, resources, and wins to Jackson State University before heading to Colorado. His influence on HBCUs is undeniable, and his transparency now adds another layer to that legacy.
Health Awareness and Sanders’ Final Message
Coach Prime used the moment to encourage others to prioritize their health. He encouraged men of all races to visit their doctors even if it’s a scary moment in their own minds. Sanders’ cancer diagnosis was discovered during a checkup related to previous health issues.
Sanders showed his normal resilience and faith during the press conference, “I never once during this journey said God why me?”
With his trademark resilience and charisma, Sanders made clear he’s not just coaching football — he’s coaching life, and this chapter proves once again why the game isn’t over until the final whistle.
In a culture where Black men’s health is often ignored, Coach Prime just put a spotlight on survival, strength, and vulnerability. This isn’t just a victory for Deion Sanders—it’s a win for every Black man who needed to hear that being proactive about health is powerful.
