Coach Prime Cancer Free After Bladder Cancer Battle: ‘I Consider Myself Cancer-Free’
One year after undergoing surgery to remove his cancerous bladder, Deion Sanders says he is cancer free and grateful to be back in the rhythm of life and football.
The 58-year-old Colorado head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer told The Associated Press, “I consider myself cancer-free,” following a year that included a major cancer diagnosis, surgery, recovery and a return to the sideline.
For Sanders, widely known as “Coach Prime,” the declaration marks a major turnaround from where he was last year, when his health journey raised questions about whether he would be able to coach through the 2025 season.
“I was fighting,” Sanders said. “I was walking out on the property with a bag of blood and also urine and trying to get back. But this expedited the process. Last year at this time I was in a whole different place, and I’m just thankful.”
Surgery Helped Sanders Return To Normalcy
Sanders underwent bladder removal and reconstructive surgery after doctors found a malignant tumor during a scan. His bladder was reconstructed using part of his intestine through the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic-assisted procedure designed to be less invasive and help reduce recovery time.
The diagnosis came after doctors discovered a tumor that was considered high risk, though it had not reached the muscle layer of the bladder. Sanders has said early detection played a critical role in his treatment and recovery.
“It got me back in the game,” Sanders said. “Got me back on my feet and got me out of the darn hospital and back into the normalcy of my life. I’m here to let people know there’s another option if you need surgery.”
Sanders has also spoken openly about the physical toll of his health battles. Over the past several years, he has undergone numerous procedures connected to his bladder and feet, including surgeries tied to blood clots and previous toe amputations.
Still, Sanders said he is not hiding from what happened.
“If I pull my shirt up, I’m not scarred. It’s not flawed. I’m not embarrassed by anything that transpired. I’m elated by everything that transpired,” he said.
Sanders Uses His Platform To Urge Men To Get Checked
Sanders has made his recovery about more than football. He has repeatedly urged men, especially those reluctant to visit doctors, to take health screenings seriously.
Previously, Sanders told “Good Morning America” that early detection helped doctors find the cancer and gave him a chance to act before the disease progressed further.
“I’d be a fool to be blessed the way I was blessed and not sound alarms,” Sanders said.
He added that the surgery gave him something he could not afford to waste: time.
“Saved me time so I could get back on the field, get back on my game instead of sitting up there in the hospital having a pity party,” Sanders said. “It saves you time. That’s what we’re all fighting for is time. We never know how much we get.”
Coach Prime Looks Ahead With Colorado
Sanders’ health update comes as he prepares for another season with the Colorado Buffaloes. His cancer battle and recovery had many wondering how quickly he could return to full coaching duties, but Sanders has made clear that he is focused on moving forward.
For a coach whose public image has always been built around confidence, swagger and showmanship, the latest chapter is more personal. Sanders is still Coach Prime, but now he is also using his platform as a survivor, urging others not to wait until something feels wrong before getting checked.
A year ago, Sanders was fighting to get back on his feet. Now, he says he is cancer free, back in the game and sounding the alarm for anyone who needs to hear it.
