The long-awaited Deion Sanders health update finally came on Monday, with Coach Prime announcing he had fought and beaten bladder cancer. He also announced that he was "back" and excited to coach his team this fall, contrary to all the rumors floating around that he was looking for an exit.
Coach Prime's press conference was full of serious talk, but in the typical Sanders fashion, he found humor in his struggles. Sanders' upbeat, jovial personality was on full display. He spoke about serious subject matter, but let the world know none of it had broken his spirit.
Sanders is back to work and ready to begin fall camp with the Buffaloes. But before we can move forward, let's examine the best quotes from Sanders' press conference:
"I depend on Depends," and more hilarious and thoughtful quotes from the Deion Sanders PC
"I depend on Depends"
Sanders made light of his bladder issues. He had to have his bladder removed to get rid of the tumor, and had it replaced with an artificial one. That has led to issues controlling it, and Sanders made the quip about adult diapers and potentially needing a porta-potty on the sidelines this season.
If he hasn't already, Coach Prime will find a way to monetize that.
"Let's stop being ashamed of it."
Hearing a prominent figure like Coach Prime discuss bladder-related issues will undoubtedly make more people out there willing to talk about it. One of his best qualities - and perhaps the quality that has made some find him annoying - is that he is so open about every aspect of his life.
"I don't have to rely on them, I'm back baby. I'm with them."
When asked about depending on his assistant coaches, Sanders had the above reply. It was music to the ears of Colorado fans.
"I always knew I was going to coach again."
Sanders was asked about whether he had any doubts during the process of whether he would coach again. Coach Prime stated emphatically that he did not, and that he always knew he would be back with Colorado this season.
That stands in direct contrast to the wishes of those who have continued to die on the hill of Sanders looking for a Boulder exit, particularly in the aftermath of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter moving on to the NFL. A lot of people had to walk back a lot of speculation after Monday's press conference.
"I didn't stare death in the face, I stared life in the face."
Sanders was asked about "staring death in the face," and he had exactly the response everyone has come to expect. Sanders spun it as a positive. Ever the optimist, Sanders has never allowed any dark moments to get him down for too long.
"I got too much life in me to be thinking about death. I got work to do. We gotta win a darn championship."
Coach Prime seems laser-focused on leading Colorado to a championship, and that above quote had to fire up every Buffs fan out there.
"The funny thing about that is you start ranking your kids again."
This was in response to the Instagram video posted on Sunday night, showing Sanders discussing having created a will. For years, Sanders has jokingly (probably?) publicly ranked his children in order of favorite to least favorite.
Discussing all of this, and letting your most private moments be seen by the world could not be easy. But Sanders attacked it like he always has: head on, full of faith and confidence.