Deion Sanders Leaned on This NFL Legend While Battling Bladder Cancer originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After spending a few months away from the Big 12 school due to health issues, Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders made his triumphant return to the team.
Sanders, 57, held a press conference at the university on Monday and revealed that he battled and beat bladder cancer while recovering at his estate in Texas. “Men, everybody get it checked out,” he told reporters.
“Because if it weren’t for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled upon this,” Sanders said. “Make sure you get the right care because without wonderful people like this, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here today because it grew so expeditiously.”
Colorado assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold and Dr. Janet Kukreja at the University of Colorado Health noted that Sanders underwent an ACT scan on his vascular pattern to ensure his blood clots disappeared.
However, they said Coach Prime’s primary doctor referred him to a urologist who conducted a procedure and determined it was bladder cancer. Sanders underwent surgery to remove the bladder and create a new one.
During his time undergoing treatment, Sanders said he spoke with NFL legend Randy Moss a fair amount because Moss battled bile duct cancer during that time. Moss, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, announced in July that he is in remission after undergoing surgery and radiation treatment.
“Randy Moss called me every other day to make sure I was straight,” Sanders said. “Randy Moss prayed for me; he and his wife told me what I needed to be doing. He’s gone through some things very similar.
“I love him [for] life. He gave me so much strength, guidance, love, respect and appreciation.”
Moss is expected to return to his role as an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” in September, while Coach Prime claims he will be back in Colorado for this season and the foreseeable future.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.