“Look good, feel good, play good.” Coach Prime lived his life bigger than any screen—until he faced an opponent no tape could prepare him for. A cancer diagnosis. He kept it from his sons at first, carrying the weight alone. He later opened up on Asante Samuel’s Say What Needs To Be Said Podcast, revealing he had lost 14 pounds. Ever since the distressing news, fans have kept a close check on him. In July, Deion Jr. shared a video where his father, Deion Sanders, was heard saying, “I ain’t all the way recovered.” But now Coach Prime is out front with it, sharing his story for the sake of all: “Get checked out.” The Sanders have indeed found the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. And Coach Prime is suiting up once again.
“Back and Feeling Great!” he tweeted, signaling he has won the hardest battle of life. And now, Coach Prime is officially back in the game. The 58-year-old University of Colorado head coach recently revealed that he had undergone surgery to remove his bladder after doctors discovered a tumor. Deion Sanders confirmed that the procedure was successful, and there have been no traces of cancer since. With his trademark fire intact, he assured fans he’s returning to the sidelines this season. The announcement came during an emotional sit-down with his medical team at the packed Touchdown Club inside the Dal Ward Athletic Center.
Following the announcement, support from across the sports world poured in. None more heartfelt than from his longtime friend Michael Strahan. Taking to Instagram, Strahan wrote, “Proud of my brotha @deionsanders. He has continued to fight and do it while using his platform to help others. Love you my man… and can’t wait to see you back out there doing what you are meant to do, COACH!!” The post featured a throwback photo of both icons, suited in black and grinning widely, a snapshot from Sanders’ high school coaching days.
Both Hall of Famers, Sanders and Strahan’s paths converged through their involvement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Sanders, after a storied NFL career, became head coach at Jackson State University, an HBCU, aiming to elevate the program and its athletes. Strahan, an alumnus of Texas Southern University, supported this initiative by providing custom suits for the Jackson State team, emphasizing the importance of presentation and confidence. That’s a message that Prime Time didn’t need to be given twice, even when it came to his battle against cancer.
But Sanders did not sugarcoat the battle. “That was a fight, but we made it,” he said, revealing he dropped nearly 25 pounds through the ordeal. His doctor, Dr. Kukreja, declared him “cured of cancer” and emphasized, “I don’t use that word lightly.” The long road to health was filled with hurdles. And Strahan took the time to recognise his brilliance instead of the life-changing hardship.
Strahan’s caption hit home for many. “This photo is from back in the day when he was coaching high school ball… ‘he ain’t new to this, he’s true to it’… if you don’t believe he’s doing this for the love of the kids and giving young men and women an opportunity on and off the field, I respectfully ask you to please think again.” There’s no denying it. Coach Prime is a fighter, a teacher, and a walking comeback story.
Deion Sanders’ journey through the dark times
Remember when the ever-curious media asked the Browns QB Shedeur Sanders about his father, Deion Sanders, and his health. Shedeur didn’t entertain the question. “I don’t know what’s going on,” Shedeur said via the Browns’ livestream. “I’m here not to talk about pops and them. I’m here for the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns… I’m focused on learning this playbook and everything I’ve got to do to be the most successful quarterback I can be and be the best teammate I can be. Outside of that, I don’t really have no thoughts or really opinions on it.”
While Shedeur stayed locked in on football, fans couldn’t ignore a deeply personal video from Deion Sanders, posted on Instagram. Dated 9 May, it showed Coach Prime opening up about preparing a will. “I don’t know if I’m ready mentally, emotionally,” he said. “Last night was tough, yesterday was tough because I had to make a will. That’s not easy at all, to think that you might not be here.” The raw emotion paired with the alarming message was the first signal that some disaster has struck. But now that the clouds have parted.
Despite the scare and all retirement rumours, Deion Sanders will return as Colorado’s head coach for the upcoming season. His battle with cancer comes after other serious health issues. In 2021, he lost two toes due to a blood clot. These struggles are set against a legendary backdrop. Sanders is a two-time Super Bowl champ and the only athlete to play in both the Super Bowl and World Series. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
As the Cleveland Browns kicked off training camp, Shedeur Sanders wasted no time making headlines, even though his camp trajectory is a rollercoaster. The rookie quarterback delivered a perfect 9-of-9 day, throwing two touchdowns without a single interception. It was a flawless showing from the former Colorado Buffaloes star, intensifying the Browns’ already tight quarterback competition. With throw after throw on the money, Shedeur’s making it clear he’s not here to sit quietly in the depth chart.
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