Coach Deion Sanders Declared Cancer-Free Following Bladder Surgery
Deion Sanders Declared Cancer-Free After Bladder Surgery
Deion Sanders Declared Cancer-Free After Bladder Surgery
Deion Sanders, the head coach of the University of Colorado Boulder football team, has been declared cancer-free after undergoing surgery to remove his bladder.
The announcement was made at a news conference on Monday, where one of his doctors confirmed that Sanders is now “cured from the cancer.” The surgery took place in May after doctors discovered a tumor in his bladder during a routine checkup.
Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery
Dr. Janet Kukreja, a urologist at the University of Colorado, said the tumor was “high grade,” meaning it was aggressive and had a high chance of spreading. The diagnosis was classified as “high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.”
Because of this, Sanders needed surgery to remove his bladder. The operation was performed with the help of robotic technology.
“I am pleased to report that the results from the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer,” Dr. Kukreja said.
Coach Sanders: Staying Strong
Despite reports that he might step down due to his health, Sanders, 56, said he never considered quitting.
“I always knew I was going to coach again,” he said. “It was never in my spirit or my heart that God wouldn’t allow me to keep coaching.”
Sanders, often called “Coach Prime,” will continue as head coach for the upcoming college football season. The news was welcomed by fans and players, many of whom were worried after rumors about his possible resignation.
He admitted that the surgery has changed his life significantly.
“I truly depend on Depend,” he said, referring to the adult diaper brand. “I cannot control my bladder.”
A Tough Moment
On Sunday, one of Sanders’ sons shared a video online showing his father in a hospital bed talking about the emotional challenges he faced before surgery.
“Yesterday was tough,” Sanders said in the video, which was filmed in May. “I had to make a will. That’s not easy at all — to think that you may not be here.”
The video offered a rare glimpse into the private struggles of the usually confident and high-energy coach.
A Message to Other Men
At the press conference, Sanders used his experience to send a message to others, especially Black men.
“Please get yourself checked out,” he said. “Especially African-American men. Get checked out, because this could have been a whole different outcome if I hadn’t.”
According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Black Americans have the highest death rates from all cancers. Sanders said he hopes his story encourages others to take their health seriously.
Health Struggles in the Past
This isn’t the first time Sanders has dealt with serious health issues. In 2021, he had two toes on his left foot amputated because of blood clots.
Still, he has remained focused on coaching and inspiring others through his journey.
A Hall of Fame Career
Before becoming a coach, Deion Sanders had a legendary sports career. He played in the NFL for teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, winning Super Bowls in 1995 and 1996. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sanders also made history as the only person to play in both the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball’s World Series.
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