Something’s been missing in Boulder lately.
Deion Sanders, hasn’t been on campus as the Buffs roll through their summer workouts. The reason? An “unspecified health issue” has kept Sanders at his Texas estate, sidelined from CU’s offseason programming and out of the public eye.
And while the word from his family is that he’s “feeling well,” the lack of specifics has raised some concerns, especially with fall camp creeping closer by the day.
A familiar fight for Coach Prime
Coach Prime has battled through health complications before. Most notably, he underwent multiple surgeries in 2021 due to blood clots in his legs, which resulted in the amputation of two toes.
Despite those setbacks, Sanders returned to the sideline with his signature energy and led Colorado to one of the most attention-grabbing starts in college football.
Now, the situation feels different—not because the stakes are higher, but because the silence is loud.
Over the weekend, his son, Deion Sanders Jr., appeared on a YouTube livestream from their Canyon, Texas home, noting that his father is “in his room, feeling well,” but admitted there’s no timeline for a return.
“When we get back to Boulder, I don’t know,” he said. “I’m waiting until my dad leaves. When he leaves, then I’ll go. Until then, I’m gonna sit here with him.”
That quote, perhaps more than anything else, offers a glimpse into just how fluid the situation is. No one’s hitting the panic button—but we will be monitoring this closely.
Camp season rolls on—with or without Prime
Traditionally, Coach Prime has been front and center for CU’s summer football camps. It’s part of his contract and a major opportunity for the program to connect with high school talent and build national buzz.
Last week, Colorado held its high school camp. This week brings a youth camp and a women’s football clinic. Sanders’ absence from these events is notable, not just from a recruiting perspective but from a program standpoint.
His presence draws people; his absence invites speculation.
CU hasn’t officially commented on whether Sanders will return in time to appear at any of this week’s events, and the administration has offered no timetable for his return. Behind the scenes, though, insiders say Sanders remains engaged.
“He’s doing good,” longtime confidant and Colorado media figure Uncle Neely said on the DNVR Buffs podcast last Friday. “This is the most energetic and enthusiastic Coach Prime I’ve seen since I’ve been with him. As he told Asante Samuel, he’s had a little setback—but nothing he can’t overcome.”
Sanders, who turns 58 in August, also canceled a scheduled keynote speech in Florida last week. The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research replaced him with NBA legend Magic Johnson after citing an “unavoidable last-minute scheduling change.”
On the podcast appearance with former NFL corner Asante Samuel, Sanders revealed he had dropped 14 pounds recently, and while he didn’t dive into details, he hinted that his current health challenge is “at a whole 'nother level.”
Fall looms, and with it, rising expectations
The Buffs open their season August 29 against Georgia Tech in a Big 12 debut that already has national eyes fixed on Boulder. Colorado. The roster has been reloaded with transfer talent, and who will be under center is a major storyline.
But for all the hype and headlines, the success of this team still flows from its head coach. Sanders commands a level of attention that few coaches in college football history have matched.
That’s why his absence feels so pronounced. Without Coach Prime on the field, Colorado may be fine structurally, but they're missing their heartbeat.
The bottom line
There’s no indication that this is a long-term concern. Every update from the family or Sanders’ inner circle points to a recovery is already underway. But this is still uncharted territory for Buffs Nation—a summer without the energy of Prime Time.
If we’ve learned anything, it’s that Deion Sanders has no interest in quitting—on football, on the Buffs, or on himself.
When he returns, expect the same fire. The same standard. The same Coach Prime.
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