
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, was in the hospital for bladder cancer treatment. He underwent surgery to remove his bladder and was found to be cured of cancer. Sanders had a history of health issues, including blood clots and toe amputations. He revealed his successful battle against cancer during a press conference, urging others to get checked out for the condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Deion Sanders |
| Age | 57 |
| Occupation | University of Colorado football coach |
| Diagnosis | Bladder cancer |
| Treatment | Surgery to remove bladder |
| Tumor Type | Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) |
| Hospital Stay | 23 days in the fall of 2021 for compartment syndrome |
| Health Complications | Blood clots, two toe amputations |
| Recovery | Recovered at his ranch in Canton, Texas |
| Weight Loss | 14-25 pounds |
| Current Status | Cured of cancer |
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What You'll Learn

Deion Sanders had bladder cancer
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, revealed on July 28, 2025, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. The 57-year-old had a cancerous tumour in his bladder, which was discovered during a routine vascular exam due to his history of blood clots in his legs. Sanders opted to have his bladder removed rather than undergo continued treatment, as there was a 50% chance of recurrence with regular treatments.
Sanders underwent surgery to remove his bladder, and his doctors declared him cured of cancer. The procedure involved constructing a new bladder, or neobladder, from a patient's small intestine. This method only requires small incisions and, because the new bladder is created from the body's own tissue, patients do not need immunosuppressant medications.
Sanders experienced a dramatic weight loss during his health battle, losing about 25 pounds. He also shared the reality of living with a restructured bladder, including his dependence on Depend garments and the possibility of needing a porta-potty on the sidelines during games. Sanders approached his diagnosis and recovery with a mix of humour and seriousness, using his experience to encourage others to get checked for cancer.
Sanders returned to the University of Colorado after recovering at his Texas home and is expected to coach the Buffaloes during their 2025 season. He has built a strong staff with vast NFL experience and is ready to lead the program once again, including picking the next starting quarterback.
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He underwent surgery to remove his bladder
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, underwent surgery to remove his bladder after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer. Sanders revealed his successful battle against bladder cancer during a press conference in July 2025.
The bladder cancer was discovered during one of Sanders' regular routine vascular exams, which he undergoes due to his history of blood clots in his legs. Sanders has had previous serious health issues, including blood clots that required two toe amputations in 2021 and emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat persistent clots.
Sanders opted for a neobladder procedure, which involves using a section of the small intestine to create a new bladder. This allows patients to urinate in the same way as before, but retraining the body to recognise the new bladder's signals takes time and effort. Sanders spoke openly about his experience with incontinence during his recovery, stating that he had to rely on incontinence products and expressing his concerns about needing a ""porta potty on the sideline" during games.
Sanders' doctors declared him cured of cancer, with no traces of cancer found following the surgery. Sanders lost about 25 pounds during his health journey and emphasised the importance of early screening and getting checked out, even for mild symptoms.
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He had a history of blood clots and amputations
Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Jackson State head coach, was hospitalized in September 2022 due to complications related to a history of blood clots and amputations. This was not the first time Sanders had faced serious health issues. In 1997, while playing for the Dallas Cowboys, he was hospitalized due to a life-threatening blood clot in his lung, which required him to be placed on blood-thinning medication and sidelined from the game for several weeks.
Over the years, Sanders has opened up about his struggles with blood clots and the impact they have had on his life. In 2019, he revealed that he had suffered from additional blood clots and had to be hospitalized on multiple occasions to receive treatment. He also shared that the blood clots had led to some difficult decisions regarding his health, including the amputation of a portion of one of his toes.
In the weeks leading up to his hospitalization in 2022, Sanders had been experiencing discomfort and swelling in his leg. Given his history of blood clots, he sought medical attention and was hospitalized for monitoring and treatment. At the time, there were concerns that the blood clots could lead to more serious complications if left untreated.
Sanders took to social media to update his fans and the football world on his condition, expressing his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery. He also used his platform to raise awareness about the seriousness of blood clots and to encourage people to prioritize their health and seek medical attention when needed.
The hospitalization and subsequent recovery highlighted Sanders' resilience and determination to maintain his health while continuing to pursue his passions. It served as a reminder of the importance of proactive health management and the impact of underlying health conditions.
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He lost a significant amount of weight
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, was in the hospital as he underwent surgery to remove his bladder after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. Sanders revealed that he had beaten cancer and was cured during a press conference on July 28, 2025.
Sanders had been notably absent from team practice, and speculation swirled around his health for weeks. In May, he acknowledged that he had suffered a health setback and missed several events. He also mentioned that he had lost about 14 pounds due to limited contact around the program during the team's spring and summer workouts.
Sanders' son, Deion Jr., posted a video on social media in July, where Sanders is heard saying that he was dealing with a health issue and that he was not fully recovered. In the video, Sanders is seen taking steps to improve his health, such as stepping into an ice bath and taking walks.
During his press conference, Sanders discussed his journey with bladder cancer and his treatment process. He revealed that he had lost about 25 pounds during his battle with cancer. He also spoke about the challenges of living with a restructured bladder, specifically mentioning his dependence on incontinence products.
Sanders' bladder cancer diagnosis brought attention to the importance of early testing, especially for Black individuals who are at a disproportionately higher health risk. He used his platform to encourage people to get screened for the condition and to seek medical attention even for mild symptoms.
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He urged others to get checked for bladder cancer
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach, revealed in July 2025 that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent surgery. He considered himself cured of the disease. Sanders's bladder cancer diagnosis brought attention to the importance of early testing, especially among Black people, who are at a disproportionately higher health risk than other groups due to deficiencies in care.
Sanders used his platform to urge others, especially men, to get screened for bladder cancer. He emphasized the importance of basic screenings and regular check-ups with a primary care physician. One of the simple screening tests for bladder cancer is a urinalysis, which can detect blood in the urine, a common symptom of the disease. Sanders's encouragement for early detection and preventative care is crucial, as bladder cancer is expected to affect over 80,000 people in the United States annually, with a higher prevalence in men than in women.
During his treatment journey, Sanders experienced weight loss and dealt with incontinence issues, requiring him to use products like "Depend." He openly shared his experiences, including the challenges of adjusting to a restructured bladder. Sanders's honesty about the physical and emotional impacts of bladder cancer and its treatment helped raise awareness and encouraged others to prioritize their health.
The attention brought by Sanders's diagnosis and his public encouragement for screenings may lead to increased awareness and early detection of bladder cancer. It highlights the importance of proactive healthcare and the impact that early intervention can have on treatment outcomes and survival rates. By sharing his personal experience, Sanders has likely influenced many individuals to take charge of their health and seek the necessary screenings to detect bladder cancer or other serious illnesses in their early stages.
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Frequently asked questions
Deion Sanders was in the hospital for bladder cancer treatment.
Bladder cancer is a cancerous tumour that develops in the bladder. It is more common in men than in women, and risk factors include smoking, exposure to certain industrial chemicals, older age, and chronic bladder irritation and infections.
Deion Sanders underwent surgery to remove his bladder and create a new one using a section of his small intestine (neobladder). This procedure allows him to urinate in the same way as before, but with a new muscle memory.
Yes, Deion Sanders announced that he had beaten bladder cancer and was cured. However, he did experience some incontinence issues and had to retrain his bladder.
Yes, Deion Sanders has had a history of health issues, including blood clots in his legs, which led to the amputation of two toes in 2022. He also underwent emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat persistent blood clots.






















