Deion Sanders, a former NFL player and current coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, praised God as he announced to reporters that he was cancer-free after a long and private struggle with a tumor in his bladder. Sanders told the press that the battle “has been a tremendous journey,” going on to proudly proclaim his faith and credit God with his survival and strength.
For background, on July 28, 2025, Coach Sanders announced at a press conference that he had been quietly battling bladder cancer for several years, keeping his illness extremely private throughout the treatment process. Sanders spoke alongside Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Janet Kukreja said that Sanders was “cured of cancer,” saying that she doesn’t “use that word lightly,” as reported by ESPN. Moreover, Dr. Kukreja said that Sanders’ journey with bladder cancer was “not an easy task,” adding, “It was dynamic. It was tough. It wasn’t a cakewalk. It wasn’t easy.” Sanders chimed in, “That was a fight, but we made it.”
Furthermore, Colorado team trainer Lauren Askevold said that Sanders “never folded one time and never wavered” during treatment, adding, “You couldn’t ask for a better patient because he wants to get up and get going right. So it’s been awesome. It’s been a hectic journey, but there’s a blessing very in disguise with all this.”
Additionally, Sanders explained to reporters that he had not explained “what the extent” of his illness was to his friends and family, including his sons, who, per ESPN, are getting ready for the NFL draft. Sanders told reporters that he kept the severity of his condition a secret “so they could be focused on making the team and not focused on dad.”
During the press conference, Sanders also kept the conversation about his illness and recovery lighthearted, telling reporters, “I can’t pee like I used to,” adding, “I depend on Depends.” He continued, “I’m making a joke out of it, but it is real. It is real. It is real. If you see a port-a-potty on the sideline, it is real, I’m just telling you. You’re going to see one at practice, on the sideline [in games].”
Moreover, Sanders spoke openly about his faith, sending a message to “all you people that get upset when I start talking about the Lord.” He continued, “I never once, through this whole journey, said, ‘God, why me?’” Sanders went on to describe himself as incredibly blessed, thanking God for his position and the opportunity to “father five wonderful kids.”
Continuing, the coach said he did not mind “going through the afflictions I go through because I know the result,” proclaiming that he “always knew I was going to coach again.” He continued, “There’s a scripture that says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. I’m on assignment and I’m in alignment with where I’m supposed to be. I’m not lost. I’m not here by mistake. God planted me here.”
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