Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders opened up about his personal struggles before finally finding relief from long-term pain.
Sanders, who has managed to keep his composure over the past three years, also shared brief clips of his toughest moments and explained the next steps following his successful surgery and return to practice.
Deion Sanders Opens Up Before Undergoing Another Surgery
Coach Prime felt intense pain in his left leg following the Buffaloes’ 35-21 loss to TCU on Saturday. Sanders believes the condition is related to a blood clot obstruction. He told reporters that he would get it checked out soon, with a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Monday.
“Cat’s out of the bag, all right. I think I’ve got more blood clots,” Sanders said. “It don’t make sense. I’m hurting like crazy… I’m not getting blood to my leg. That’s why my leg is throbbing. Sorry to get that out, but thank you for noticing.”
Deion Sanders said he was “hurting like crazy” after Colorado’s loss Saturday night at TCU and believes he has more blood clots in his leg.
“Cat’s out of the bag, all right. I think I’ve got more blood clots,” Sanders said. “It don’t make sense. I’m hurting like crazy. … I’m… pic.twitter.com/SiwV5sIF5M
— SuperTalk Mississippi (@supertalk) October 6, 2025
Sanders’ health issues date back to 2021. Earlier this year, on May 9, he underwent surgery to remove his bladder, and doctors declared him cancer-free on July 28.
The coach, 58, has also endured 16 surgeries in recent years, including the amputation of two toes on his left foot.
The Untold Moments of Deion Sanders’ Personal Battle
The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been battling a series of health issues in recent years and underwent his 16th surgery on Tuesday night.
Moments before the procedure, his son Deion Sanders Jr. shared a video on X showing his father preparing for surgery.
“I’m in here 16 times in the last three years in the same position, never doubting God, never stressing, never second-guessing,” Sanders said in the video.
Coach Prime going in for his 16th surgery in the last 3 Years🙏
🎥@DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/VKoERhmXRA
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) October 8, 2025
During his press conference Tuesday morning, Sanders announced that he would undergo surgery later in the day and expects to return to practice on Wednesday.
“I’m having a procedure today,” Sanders told reporters, per the Daily Camera. “Prayerfully, I’ll be right back tomorrow. It is what it is, and we found what we found and we knew what it was. I have a wonderful team of doctors.”
Sanders’ tenacity and positive attitude have drawn attention from fans. The fact that his quick return, combined with his fitness concerns, has raised eyebrows before the 2-4 Buffaloes face No. 22 Iowa State on Saturday.
