For months during his absence from Colorado, fans and media speculated over what Deion Sanders was going through. Some were concerned; others, unfortunately, used it as an opportunity to further push a silly agenda.
Since Deion Sanders arrived at Colorado in December of 2022, fans of other programs started the clock on his eventual Boulder exit. Most assumed it would happen after the 2024 season, when Sheduer Sanders and Travis Hunter departed for the NFL.
When Coach Prime took a leave this offseason to battle health issues, it gave those fans the opening they hoped for. This was it. He was planning his exit. Cue up the "I told you so" and gather all the receipts.
Rumors swirled over this past weekend that Sanders' planned press conference on Monday would be him announcing a leave of absence or outright resigning from his position as the Buffaloes' head coach. Those people never stopped to think for a second about what Sanders might be dealing with, instead just excited that maybe, for once in their miserable lives, they had a take that proved correct.
Then, on Monday, Sanders and his medical team revealed that the Colorado head coach and NFL Hall of Famer had battled, and beaten, bladder cancer. Coach Prime had his bladder removed to get rid of a tumor and replaced with an artificial one—a serious surgery that prompted quips from the head coach about Depends and sideline porta-potty's.
Sanders has dealt with numerous medical issues over the last few years, mostly dealing with blood clots that ultimately led to multiple surgeries and the amputation of two of his toes. Few knew details of what he was dealing with this time around, just that he had alluded to it being much more serious.
Deion Sanders' health issues were real, contrary to ridiculous online rumors
Despite his very real health issues, too many folks still tried to insinuate that all of this hullabaloo was just for show; it was Sanders and his family seeking attention and putting themselves in the spotlight, as they are wont to do. But not only was Coach Prime not seeking an out at Colorado, he was fighting, scratching, clawing, and doing everything in his power to return to the sidelines, to get back to his team.
This wasn't for show. It was real, and it was terrifying. And yet, Sanders smiled, laughed, and looked strong in mind, body, and spirit as he spoke about his cancer fight on Monday. He was gracious and thankful. He was happy to still be here. His joy of life is contagious, and that rubs miserable people the wrong way. They can't stand seeing others who are genuinely happy.
During this process, Sanders had to stare his own mortality in the face. He had to look in the mirror and face the scary reality of his situation. He had to create a will to ensure his family was taken care of.
For the folks who jumped to irresponsible conclusions and spread inaccurate rumors, it's time they take a cue from Coach Prime and look themselves in the mirror.