Deion Sanders cancer-free after undergoing bladder surgery

Deion Sanders had his bladder removed earlier this year after a cancerous tumor was discovered, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach announced on Monday.

Sanders and Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, met with reporters to share that his cancer is now gone and he plans to coach the Buffaloes this season.

"Whenever you hear the C word, there's normally a life sentence attached to it. But not this time," Sanders said, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.

The 57-year-old stepped away from his coaching obligations in April to recover from the procedure at his Texas home. He dropped 25 pounds after the surgery, but is now just 12 pounds below his normal weight.

Sanders spent nearly three months away from the team, but he made a brief appearance at Big 12 media days earlier this month.

He's also suffered from blood clots in his legs, which caused him to have two toes amputated in 2022. He underwent emergency surgery in June 2023 to treat the recurring clots, and doctors discovered the cancerous tumour on his bladder during routine checks for his previous issues.

Despite his medical issues, Sanders explained that he never considered stepping away from his role as head coach at Colorado.

"I always knew I was going to coach again," he said. "It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that God wouldn't allow me to coach again."

Sanders will take to the sideline to begin his third season as the Buffaloes' coach for their season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29.