Latest news with #UniversityofColoradoCancerCenter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders turns cancer diagnosis into a teaching moment: 'I depend on Depends'
For more than 40 years, Deion Sanders has embodied the concept of cool in American sports culture, a look-good, play-good mentality combined with a monumental ego. He's one of the most colorful and talented players in football history … and now, he's talking with pride, without shame, about wearing Depends. 'I depend on Depends, if you know what I mean,' he said Monday at a press conference disclosing his recent health issues. Coach Prime was half-joking, yes, but also 100% serious. 'I truly depend on Depends. I cannot control my bladder.' It's one hell of a swerve, and Prime Time is turning a near-tragedy into a teaching opportunity. Sanders revealed on Monday that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, necessitating the removal of his bladder. The procedure was a success — his doctor says he is 'cured' — and Coach Prime will return to the sidelines this fall on schedule to lead the Colorado Buffaloes. Sanders spent much of the early summer in Texas recovering from the surgery. On Monday, he spoke to the media with his doctor, Dr. Janet Kukreja of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his side. And he announced his condition with a combination of solemnity, defiance, humor and inspiration. 'I didn't stare death in the face,' Sanders said. 'I stared life in the face.' Sanders went deep into the circumstances of his recovery, speaking without even slightly flinching about his newly changed bathroom habits, laughing that he and his grandson were in the same situation with their diapers. "Can't pee like I used to pee,' Sanders said. 'It's totally different." He lost 25 pounds — getting back to his Atlanta Falcons weight, he joked — and noted that he'll need to rely on adult diapers going forward. He'll also have a portable toilet nearby at all times, even during games. "If you see a Porta-Potty on the sideline, it is real,' Sanders said. 'I'm just telling you right now, you're going to see it." The significance of someone like Sanders, the epitome of a football alpha male, speaking forthrightly on what could be an embarrassing condition can't be overstated. Sanders said many times during Monday's press conference that he sees himself as a messenger, leaning heavily on faith. But he emphasized that he wanted people not to focus on the faith element, but on the healthcare aspect of his situation for inspiration. He acknowledged the hesitancy that many people, particularly men, have toward going to a doctor, but he stressed the need for regular checkups and good care. 'The initial thing you do is what we all do. We Google. And that's the wrong thing to do,' Sanders said. ''You gon' die.' I mean, like, they pretty much say that when you Google it, and you don't want to see that mess.' Sanders has polarized the football world ever since his days at Florida State, already confident enough in his abilities to go by the nickname 'Prime Time.' He blazed a trail through the NFL, winning Super Bowls and terrorizing quarterbacks, and along the way played baseball as a side hustle. Since moving into coaching, he's revived the fortunes of Colorado, transforming Travis Hunter into a Heisman winner and providing a launching pad for his son Shedeur to reach the NFL. Love him or hate him, Sanders inspires no mild feelings. But now, by staring cancer in the face and potentially inspiring others to do the same, Sanders has the opportunity to do far more good off the field than he ever could on it. "If it could happen to Prime,' he said, 'it could happen to you."
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Deion Sanders looks to future with Colorado after fighting bladder cancer
REQUIRED READING: Deion Sanders health issues: A timeline of Colorado coach's history Sanders said he "can't pee like I used to pee," but is grateful to be continuing his coaching career, also noting he "always knew I was going to coach again." "I depend on Depend if you know what I mean," Sanders said. "I cannot control my bladder. So, I get up to go to the bathroom already 4-5 times a night. And I'm sitting there waking up like my grandson. We in the same thing. We got the same problem right now. We're going through the same trials and tribulations." Sanders was accompanied by his doctor, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado football assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his news conference on Monday. His new bladder was constructed with parts of his intestine, he said Monday. Sanders said Colorado's sideline will also look a bit different in 2025 as he recovers from his health scare, with portable toilets being nearby. "I've built myself back up to where I'm able, I'm strong, I'm ready," Sanders said Monday. "I'm still probably about 12 pounds down, but I'm going to get that right and fill these overalls up like no other." Kukreja said the only difference for Sanders moving forward will be adjusting to "a new way of life," but that his outlook looks good as he continues coaching. Sanders said not returning to coaching wasn't a thought during his cancer battle. "I was always going to coach," he said. "It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that god wouldn't allow me to coach again. (I) never thought like that. It's just that, I didn't want to be running down to the hospital once a week when I got all this on my plate. ... I was even like, 'can they bring on the machines and put them in the office?'" Sanders has quite the challenge entering his third season at Colorado, as he must replace reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., who was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He also has a new quarterback in either Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter or true freshman Julian Lewis, after his son, Shedeur Sanders, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in April. The Buffaloes will look to build on their 9-4 finish last season, with their coach healthy and back in the saddle following his extended absence from the program. "I'm so thankful to be back in Boulder, you have no idea," Sanders said. "But I never doubted, one bit, that I wouldn't be."
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox Sports
Deion Sanders Is One of One — and His Fight Is a Lesson in Purpose
With a kind of joy, sincerity and charisma that can only come from Deion Sanders, Colorado's head coach sat at a press conference on Monday, fighting back tears beside two medical professionals he credited with helping save his life. They told the world that Sanders was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this summer, underwent a procedure to remove it after a malignant tumor was found, and is now cancer-free. Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, voiced the two words that fans of Coach Prime and Colorado athletics wanted to hear: "It's beaten." For weeks, speculation and rumors had run amok about the health of Sanders, one of the most prominent and ubiquitous figures in the sport. But there was no arguing he'd become reclusive at a moment when coaches were out recruiting and politicking for the game. The 57-year-old Sanders had largely been out of the public eye since the conclusion of spring practice. Sanders' oldest son, Deion Sanders, Jr., was the first and only family member to tell the public that his father was in the midst of a battle he could only reveal so much about, posting a video on social media earlier this month when he was heard saying his father was dealing with a health concern and making it clear that any prayers would be welcomed. For the coach who brought Colorado its first nine-win season since 2016, its first Heisman winner since 1994 and a national presence and relevancy that the program hasn't enjoyed since winning a share of the 1990 national championship, the return of questions about Sanders' health was challenging. This is especially true after Sanders, who had life-saving surgery to remove blood clots just two years ago, signed a contract to stay in Boulder that will see him make more than $10 million annually. However, his sons no longer play football for a team he coaches. Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman winner, is at NFL training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Sanders were to walk away and manage his health, even for a little while, the sport would've felt his absence. After all, there is not another coach in the country who could succeed in hosting his own talk show on Tubi, earn late-night television spots during the offseason to promote his book and coach a program at the Power 4 level. We know this is true because he's the only person who has done it. Just like he is the only person to play in the World Series and the Super Bowl. Just like he's the only Power 4 coach to begin his career as a college football head coach without a single stop as an assistant at the NFL or college level. Sanders is one of a kind. He is unique. He is truly one of one. However, from the first week of May through the last week of July, Sanders only met the obligations he had to, including an appearance at Big 12 Media Days, where he dismissed questions about his health and mustered a robust argument for a salary cap in college football. "I'm not here to talk about my health," Sanders said at Big 12 Media Days. "I'm here to talk about my team." He did that, while breaking protocol in the process. Traditionally, coaches who are overseeing a QB competition elect not to bring either, allowing folks who write and talk about the sport for a living to draw their own conclusions. Instead, he brought both Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis, setting the narrative that he truly feels good about either of them starting Week 1 against Georgia Tech. And he did all of that while recovering from the kind of surgery that can be life-threatening, making the decision not to tell anyone outside a close group of family and friends about it. "I'm truly thankful that God is so good," Sanders said as he stared up at the sky, put his hands in a prayer position and took a deep pause to gather himself. "You have no idea how good God has been for me to be here." Sanders got to tell his story, but I hope he won't forget that only he has the ability to call a news conference on a Monday afternoon in late July to tell the world about his fight with cancer, and we all came running. I hope he will remember we were here to celebrate his victory with him. Hold him in our prayers, walk through life doing the best we can for each other, live our lives as he has. Coach Prime has lived his life with passion, with drive. He has decided he will make the rest of his life about coaching the sport he played better than almost everybody else who has ever touched a football because he believes it is the best way to reach the most people and develop the best men the world could know. "I always knew I was going to coach again," Sanders said on Monday. "It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that God wouldn't allow me to coach again. (I) never thought like that." Let what Sanders endured over the past couple of months and his ability to find purpose in everything he does serve as a reminder to us all. This life we live can feel unbearable, unfair and unkind. It takes from many more than it gives. But, today, we learned once again, it can give back. It can give us back perspective when we can't see past our inconveniences and our tragedies. It can give us purpose if we feel we have no merit, no position to play in its game. It can give us back our heroes when it lays them low so that we might watch them fight back with grace, honor and integrity. Coach Prime, one of the biggest names in college football, has his values personified and his faith displayed constantly. He beat cancer with a full-time job in one of the most pressurized environments sports has to offer. Because of course he did. Because he's Prime. RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast "The Number One College Football Show." Follow him at @RJ_Young . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Colorado's Deion Sanders had bladder removed after cancer diagnosis
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders announced Monday he was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year. Sanders held a news conference to reveal the news as Colorado embarks on fall camp ahead of the 2025 season. Dr. Janet Kukreja, Sanders' doctor at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, said Sanders had his bladder removed after a malignant tumor was found and that he had been "cured" from the cancer. 'The process wasn't easy,' Sanders said as he relayed that doctors presented him with multiple options to deal with the cancer. Kukreja said the type of cancer Sanders was dealing with had a high recurrence rate and that he decided to go forward with the "curative" option of having his bladder removed. Sanders, 57, said that he knew he had surgery upcoming for the tumor as his son Shedeur Sanders dealt with a rough draft weekend after he fell from a possible first-round NFL Draft pick to the fifth round. "There was some scenes you saw, all the bull junk that's transpired on draft day," Sanders said. "It wasn't just that. It was just, I knew as well I had a surgery coming up. My sons, to this day, don't know what transpired, I just told them it was something with my foot, because I wanted to give them the focus on making the team and not focused on dad." The Pro Football Hall of Famer had been away from the team and at his home in Texas after spring practice to deal with health issues. He appeared at Big 12 media days earlier in July and declined to answer questions about his health while at the podium during his appearance there. He said Monday that not continuing to coach never crossed his mind after he was diagnosed and that Randy Moss had been a source of strength for him in their conversations. Moss was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in 2024 and is set to return full-time to his role at ESPN for the 2025 football season. Colorado assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold said Sanders' cancer discovery came after he went through his routine vascular tests. The training staff received a call from his primary care doctor after the vascular tests, and the process of setting up a visit with a urologist and diagnosing what was going on began. Kukreja said that Sanders' tumor was discovered early before it had a chance to metastasize into something even more serious. "I didn't have any signs," Sanders said. Sanders detailed what he's gone through since the surgery and said that he "can't pee like I used to pee. It's totally different." He also said he had lost 25 pounds at one point. 'I depend on Depend if you know what I mean," Sanders said. "I cannot control my bladder. So I get up to go to the bathroom already 4-5 times a night. And I'm sitting there waking up like my grandson. We in the same thing. We got the same problem right now. We're going through the same trials and tribulations.' Sanders said fans will likely see a portable toilet on the sidelines of Colorado games this fall and said he wanted to serve as an example for people who may also be going through similar cancer diagnoses. His new bladder was created with parts of his intestine. 'It's just totally different and I know there's a lot of people out there going through what I am going through and dealing with what I am dealing with and let's stop being ashamed of it and let's deal with it. And let's deal with it head on.' Sanders' news conference came after he posted to social media that he had recently completed his will. He said he informed his coaching staff and his team of the cancer diagnosis on Sunday. "You don't want to be a fool and leave and not have your business affairs in order," Sanders said. The vascular tests are routine for Sanders after he had two toes amputated on his left foot in 2021 while he was the coach at Jackson State. The toes were removed after Sanders had dealt with a blood clot and compartment syndrome. He said Monday he's had 14 surgeries since 2021. Sanders is entering his third season as Colorado's head coach. The Buffaloes went 9-4 in 2024 after going 4-8 in his first season in Boulder.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Deion Sanders looks to future with Colorado football after fighting bladder cancer
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders offered an update on his health July 28, noting he's looking forward to the 2025 season after a scare with bladder cancer. Sanders, heading into his third season with the Buffaloes, missed notable time throughout spring practices due for an undisclosed health-related reason, which was revealed to be the bladder cancer. Sanders' bladder was then removed and replaced, curing his cancer, he and his doctors said at a press conference. REQUIRED READING: Deion Sanders health issues: A timeline of Colorado coach's history Sanders said he "can't pee like I used to pee," but is grateful to be continuing his coaching career, also noting he "always knew I was going to coach again." 'I depend on Depend if you know what I mean," Sanders said. "I cannot control my bladder. So, I get up to go to the bathroom already 4-5 times a night. And I'm sitting there waking up like my grandson. We in the same thing. We got the same problem right now. We're going through the same trials and tribulations.' Sanders was accompanied by his doctor, Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado football assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his news conference on Monday. His new bladder was constructed with parts of his intestine, he said Monday. Sanders said Colorado's sideline will also look a bit different in 2025 as he recovers from his health scare, with portable toilets being nearby. "I've built myself back up to where I'm able, I'm strong, I'm ready," Sanders said Monday. "I'm still probably about 12 pounds down, but I'm going to get that right and fill these overalls up like no other." Kukreja said the only difference for Sanders moving forward will be adjusting to "a new way of life," but that his outlook looks good as he continues coaching. Sanders said not returning to coaching wasn't a thought during his cancer battle. "I was always going to coach," he said. "It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that god wouldn't allow me to coach again. (I) never thought like that. It's just that, I didn't want to be running down to the hospital once a week when I got all this on my plate. ... I was even like, 'can they bring on the machines and put them in the office?'" Sanders has quite the challenge entering his third season at Colorado, as he must replace reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter Jr., who was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He also has a new quarterback in either Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter or true freshman Julian Lewis, after his son, Shedeur Sanders, was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns in April. The Buffaloes will look to build on their 9-4 finish last season, with their coach healthy and back in the saddle following his extended absence from the program. "I'm so thankful to be back in Boulder, you have no idea," Sanders said. "But I never doubted, one bit, that I wouldn't be."
