Deion Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes and NFL Hall of Famer, announced in an emotional press conference that he is officially cancer-free following a harrowing health battle. Through it all, Sanders said his faith in God never wavered, and was, in fact, his foundation.
Doctors discovered a high-grade bladder tumor earlier this year during a routine vascular scan Sanders undergoes annually due to a history of blood clots. What began as a precautionary check turned into a life-changing diagnosis.
“The urologist told us, ‘You have a bladder tumor,’” Sanders recounted. “They removed it, and it showed a very high-grade cancer, invading through the bladder wall, but not yet into the muscle layer.” The cancer was classified as non-muscle invasive, but aggressive and at high risk for recurrence.
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Faced with two treatment paths, long-term in-bladder therapies with a 50% chance of the cancer returning, or full bladder removal with curative intent—Sanders made his decision based on faith, family, and purpose.
“Given his commitments to his family and to the team, he elected to undergo a bladder removal,” said Dr. Lauren Casias, who led the surgical procedure. “I’m pleased to report that he is cured from the cancer.”
The road was not easy. The surgery marked Sanders’ 14th procedure since 2021, following earlier complications that included amputations of toes due to vascular issues. Yet Sanders, ever transparent and candid, said he never lost his hope—because his hope wasn’t in himself.
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“God is so good. You have no idea how good God has been to me,” he said. “I never once through this whole journey said, ‘God, why me?’ Because I would have to say, ‘God, why me that You gave me the opportunity to coach at this prestigious university? Why me that You let me father five beautiful children? Why me that You’ve given me the platform to influence and love people?’ I can’t question one side without acknowledging the other.”
Sanders said he prayed not for deliverance, but for understanding and endurance.
“Lord, whatever it is that You’re doing, let me know what it is so I can expedite the process—because I know You got me,” he said. “I’ve seen You have my back. I’ve seen You in the midst of storms when nobody knew I was going through hell. I’ve seen You guide me and bring me through.”
He framed the suffering not as a curse, but as an assignment.
“I’m God’s guy,” Sanders declared. “I’m allowed to go through these trials and tribulations so that I could touch and reach and bless people with my words, with the energy, with that thing that God gave me. I’m on assignment. I’m in alignment. I’m not here by mistake. God planted me here.”
Even when considering his own mortality, Sanders maintained a spiritual perspective.
“I never thought about death,” he said. “I made a will because I want to be a good steward, but I got too much life in me to be thinking about death. I got work to do.”
Sanders said the experience has only strengthened his resolve to lead and inspire—not just his team, but the wider public.
“This ain’t about me,” he said. “Everything I deal with is a tool to reach more, to affect more, to challenge more, to love more, to give more. There’s some folks right now scheduling checkups. Some husbands finally listening to their wives. If it could happen to Prime, baby, it could happen to you.”
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As he returns to the field, Sanders expressed deep gratitude for his family, medical team, and the university. But above all, he pointed heavenward.
“Too blessed to be stressed,” he said. “And for all of you who get upset when I talk about the Lord—just know, I’ll never stop. Because it’s God who brought me through this. It’s God who brought me back. And I give Him all the glory.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
