BOULDER, Colorado — At a press conference held Monday at the University of Colorado's Dal Ward Athletic Center, head football coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders revealed details about a significant health battle he has been fighting during the offseason.
Medical Procedure and Recovery
Sanders disclosed that he recently underwent a major surgical procedure to have his bladder removed after medical professionals identified a cancerous tumor. The 57-year-old coach was joined by Dr. Janet Kukreja from the University of Colorado Cancer Center's urological oncology department during the announcement.
The veteran coach described his recovery process as challenging, noting that he experienced substantial weight loss of approximately 25 pounds during his treatment and rehabilitation period. Sanders characterized the experience as difficult but emphasized his determination throughout the process.
"The journey was intense and presented real challenges," Sanders explained during the press conference. "This wasn't something you could take lightly, but we persevered through it."
Support System and Team Response
Colorado's athletic trainer Lauren Askevold praised Sanders' resilience during his treatment, describing him as an exemplary patient who remained focused on recovery and returning to his coaching duties. She noted that despite the difficulties, there have been positive aspects to the experience.
Recent Public Appearances
Sanders had maintained a relatively low profile in recent months, with his most notable public appearance being at the Big 12 Conference media event earlier this month. During that event, he acknowledged conference commissioner Brett Yormark's ongoing support and expressed appreciation for Colorado athletic director Rick George.
Previously, Sanders had been reluctant to discuss specifics about his health situation. However, in July, his son Deion Jr. shared social media content that hinted at his father's health challenges, showing the coach engaging in various recovery activities including cold therapy and light exercise.
History of Health Challenges
This recent surgery adds to Sanders' documented history of serious medical issues. He has previously battled dangerous blood clots in his lower extremities, resulting in the amputation of two toes in 2022. Additionally, he required emergency medical intervention in June 2023 to address recurring clot problems affecting both legs.
Team Performance and Outlook
As Sanders prepares for his third season leading the Colorado program, the team is coming off a successful 9-4 campaign that culminated in an Alamo Bowl appearance. The previous season featured standout performances from his son Shedeur Sanders at quarterback and two-way star Travis Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy.
Quarterback Transition
A significant storyline for the upcoming season involves finding Shedeur Sanders' replacement at the quarterback position. Over his two seasons with Colorado, Shedeur posted impressive statistics, completing nearly 72% of his passes for over 7,300 yards and 64 touchdowns.
The competition for the starting quarterback role will feature true freshman Julian Lewis, a highly-rated five-star recruit ranked second in ESPN's 2025 recruiting class, alongside transfer Kaidon Salter, who brings experience from his four seasons at Liberty University where he started 24 games.
This upcoming season will mark the first time in recent years that Coach Sanders will lead a team without his son Shedeur as the starting quarterback, as several key players from last season's roster have moved on to professional opportunities.
Medical Procedure and Recovery
Sanders disclosed that he recently underwent a major surgical procedure to have his bladder removed after medical professionals identified a cancerous tumor. The 57-year-old coach was joined by Dr. Janet Kukreja from the University of Colorado Cancer Center's urological oncology department during the announcement.
The veteran coach described his recovery process as challenging, noting that he experienced substantial weight loss of approximately 25 pounds during his treatment and rehabilitation period. Sanders characterized the experience as difficult but emphasized his determination throughout the process.
"The journey was intense and presented real challenges," Sanders explained during the press conference. "This wasn't something you could take lightly, but we persevered through it."
Support System and Team Response
Colorado's athletic trainer Lauren Askevold praised Sanders' resilience during his treatment, describing him as an exemplary patient who remained focused on recovery and returning to his coaching duties. She noted that despite the difficulties, there have been positive aspects to the experience.
Recent Public Appearances
Sanders had maintained a relatively low profile in recent months, with his most notable public appearance being at the Big 12 Conference media event earlier this month. During that event, he acknowledged conference commissioner Brett Yormark's ongoing support and expressed appreciation for Colorado athletic director Rick George.
Previously, Sanders had been reluctant to discuss specifics about his health situation. However, in July, his son Deion Jr. shared social media content that hinted at his father's health challenges, showing the coach engaging in various recovery activities including cold therapy and light exercise.
History of Health Challenges
This recent surgery adds to Sanders' documented history of serious medical issues. He has previously battled dangerous blood clots in his lower extremities, resulting in the amputation of two toes in 2022. Additionally, he required emergency medical intervention in June 2023 to address recurring clot problems affecting both legs.
Team Performance and Outlook
As Sanders prepares for his third season leading the Colorado program, the team is coming off a successful 9-4 campaign that culminated in an Alamo Bowl appearance. The previous season featured standout performances from his son Shedeur Sanders at quarterback and two-way star Travis Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy.
Quarterback Transition
A significant storyline for the upcoming season involves finding Shedeur Sanders' replacement at the quarterback position. Over his two seasons with Colorado, Shedeur posted impressive statistics, completing nearly 72% of his passes for over 7,300 yards and 64 touchdowns.
The competition for the starting quarterback role will feature true freshman Julian Lewis, a highly-rated five-star recruit ranked second in ESPN's 2025 recruiting class, alongside transfer Kaidon Salter, who brings experience from his four seasons at Liberty University where he started 24 games.
This upcoming season will mark the first time in recent years that Coach Sanders will lead a team without his son Shedeur as the starting quarterback, as several key players from last season's roster have moved on to professional opportunities.