Deion Sanders Sends Strong Message by Visiting Son at Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Deion Sanders has been noticeably absent from Colorado for much of the offseason as he continues to battle ongoing health issues.
While the Buffaloes’ third-year head coach made a brief appearance at Big 12 Media Days two weeks ago, he has largely remained out of the public eye, spending most of his time recovering at home in Texas. Sanders recently admitted he’s “still going through something” and has not fully recovered, though he has been reluctant to share details about his condition.
On Wednesday, however, Sanders surfaced at the start of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp, surprising many with his presence. The Hall-of-Famer was seen on the sidelines, smiling and chatting with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. He was there to support his son, Shilo Sanders, who signed with the Bucs as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft.
This rare offseason appearance comes amid continued questions about Sanders’ health. In May, he revealed he had lost approximately 14 pounds. His medical history is well-documented, including blood clot issues, emergency surgery in 2023, and the amputation of two toes in 2021. It’s unclear if his current health concerns are linked to those earlier complications.
When asked directly about his health by The Athletic’s David Ubben, Sanders deflected the question at Big 12 Media Days. “Athletic, sometimes y’all be on that bull junk, so I’m really not gonna tell you much,” he said. “I’m here to talk about my team.”
Colorado athletic director Rick George has said he expects Sanders back in Boulder “in a week or two,” suggesting his return is imminent with the Buffaloes’ training camp set to begin next week. The team opens its 2025 season on Friday, August 29 against Georgia Tech.
Related: Deion Sanders Wants Two NFL Coaches in Colorado to Break 200 Years of Experience
This year marks a rare moment in Sanders’ coaching journey, as he won’t be coaching either of his sons for the first time since their youth football days. Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, while Shilo is now fighting for a roster spot in Tampa Bay.
Related: Deion Sanders found out the NFL kept receipts on Shedeur as a first-rounder
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.