“You can clap, it’s OK” Coach Prime reveals health issues at start of Colorado fall camp

Fall camp has kicked off in Boulder with a stunning—and deeply personal—announcement from Coach Prime.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with an aggressive bladder tumor earlier this year and underwent surgery to have his bladder removed.

In classic Deion Sanders fashion, the Colorado head coach walked up to the podium, dropped the health news, and still found a way to make us laugh.

“I had an aggressive bladder tumor,” Sanders said, pausing before adding, “and I had to have my bladder removed.”

Then, with that familiar Prime smirk:

“You can clap, it’s OK.”

The Hall of Famer said this was his 14th surgery since 2021, and one of the toughest. A video posted by Well Off Media last night showed Sanders tearfully sharing that he had recently made a will, unsure if he would survive the ordeal.

“It could’ve been a whole different gathering if I hadn’t gotten checked out,” Sanders said, urging men—especially—to be proactive about their health.

Despite battling cancer, Sanders kept it all private—even from his own sons, Shedeur and Shilo, during the NFL Draft process. “I didn’t want them focused on Dad. I wanted them focused on making a team,” he said.

Even his own team, he admitted, didn’t know until now.

Still, Sanders was in high spirits and made one thing clear: he’s not going anywhere.

“This was not an easy task,” Sanders said. “It meant changing my lifestyle. But I’m here. I’m back. And I’m coaching.”

Prime’s personal battle

Sanders underwent surgery in April to remove the tumor and his bladder, a procedure confirmed by his doctor, Dr. Janet Kukreja, at CU Anschutz.

“This was serious,” Kukreja said. “But Coach Sanders is cured.”

The gravity of that word—cured—hung in the air for a moment. Then came the applause.

In the Well Off Media video, Sanders shared that he had recently written a will, unsure if he would survive the ordeal. He fought tears as he talked about preparing for the possibility that he wouldn’t make it.

“That’s not easy at all,” Sanders said in the video. “To think that you may not be here… it’s tough.”

Fans had speculated about his health for weeks. He missed time with the team this summer, choosing instead to recover at home in Texas. At Big 12 Media Days, he redirected health questions, choosing to focus on football.

Now we know why.

A private fight but now a public victory

The most powerful moment from today's presser was when Coach Prime revealed that his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, didn’t even know the full story.

“I didn’t tell them,” Sanders said. “They were going through draft stuff. I just told them it was something with my foot. I didn’t want them worried about Dad when they were chasing their dreams.”

For Sanders, family has always come first. And in this case, he chose to quietly fight cancer so that his sons could focus on football.

“You see the draft video, all that bull junk?” Sanders said with a chuckle. “There was a lot going on that day. I just kept it moving.”

Humor with recovery

Even when discussing something as sobering as cancer, Coach Prime couldn’t resist making people smile.

“I depend on Depend, if you know what I mean,” he joked.

With the room erupting in laughter, Sanders continued, describing his current reality: waking up 4-5 times a night to go to the bathroom, sharing the same struggles as his grandson, and not being able to pee like he used to.

“I might have to bring a porta-potty on the sidelines this year,” he said, only half-joking.

And that’s what makes Coach Prime so great to me. He has an ability to mix vulnerability with humor, faith with football and pain with a positive perspective.

A reminder for men: get checked

One of the biggest messages that I appreciated from today's press conference was Coach's insistence on men's health.

“Please, get yourself checked out,” he urged. “Especially men. This could’ve been a whole different gathering.”

It’s a message that resonates coming from a head coach who’s battled blood clots and toe amputations to now cancer.

His willingness to talk openly about things like bathroom struggles, and writing a will is rare. And in doing so, he might have saved some lives.

Still the face of Colorado Football

Despite everything, Sanders made it crystal clear: he’s not going anywhere.

"I'm not announcing anything. I don't know where you guys get your news," he said.

He’s back for Year 3, cured from cancer and ready to lead the Buffaloes into the Big 12 with the same fight and energy that he brought during this tumultuous time.

“You’ve got to understand, some of the young players—I haven’t even met yet,” he said with a grin. “I’m excited. I can’t wait.”

Coach didn’t need to tell the world about his health. None of us were owed any explanation. He could’ve kept it private. Many do.

However, by opening up, he reminded us that behind the sunglasses and overalls is a coach who’s still fighting and still showing up.

And that’s why I respect him.

It’s the way he keeps going, no matter what. And it's the way he leads with honesty.

And after today's press conference, he has made us feel like we’re part of the story.

Onto Georgia Tech.

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