In a press conference on Monday, Deion Sanders shared the concerning cancer diagnosis that kept him away from Boulder for the entire summer. Sanders underwent a bladder removal procedure that his doctor revealed was 100% successful.
Despite rumors that Coach Prime might walk away from Colorado completely or take a leave of absence, he emphatically asserted that he was ready to resume his role as the Buffaloes' head coach with three simple words.
"I'm back, baby," Sanders said.
Sanders' pointed statement came after being asked how much he has relied on his coaching staff throughout this process. Sanders stated that he didn't have to rely on them anymore because he's back and with them.
Sanders met with his team on Monday morning to let them in on what he had been dealing with before he met with the media later.
Despite all the rumors to the contrary, Deion Sanders will lead Colorado this fall
There were plenty of rumors over the weekend that Deion Sanders would use Monday's press conference to resign from his job at Colorado, or in the very least, plant the seeds for an eventual departure, with many comparing it to Urban Meyer's infamous health issues in 2009 following Florida's loss in the SEC Championship Game.
However, those people consistently ignored the very real health issues that Sanders has endured over the last few years. None of this was for show. It was all very real.
Now, Sanders has a clean bill of health. That doesn't mean life is as simple as it was, as he put it in a way only Coach Prime could: "I depend on Depends," a reference to adult diapers and the inability to control his bladder post-surgery.
Amid jokes that he would have a porta potty on the sidelines, Sanders also spoke as a man who is completely rejuvenated and looking forward to leading his team this fall, even without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, defying all the haters who assumed he would leave Boulder as soon as they did.
Sanders still has lofty goals for Colorado. He fully intends to ultimately win a championship. The first step is getting the Buffaloes to win the Big 12 Championship and into the College Football Playoff.
For Colorado fans - and all who care about college football - just hearing that Sanders is recovered is more than good enough. Any positive results on the gridiron this fall will be just a bonus.