Op-Ed: Deion Sanders’ cancer-free announcement from CU’s press room originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Its always and honor and a privilege to cover any team from ground level. You see the hard work from a seat few get to sit in.
Being able to cover Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes has always been interesting. But the announcement Deion Sanders dropped proved to be something almost no one in the room would’ve predicted. Everyone that steps into a Coach Prime press conference enters with prior knowledge of his health background. He often comments on being “Eight toes down.” What transpired over the past three months was something else entirely and that was not lost on anyone.
What was witnessed on Monday from the Dal Ward Athletic Center in Boulder was not common. There was an air of uncertainty in the room. Like a high school cafeteria at lunch time. Groups of reporters and videographers discussed the pending announcement in the hour leading up to the press conference. This was not gossip. This was genuine human beings with a genuine concern for another human in their extended circle.
At no point were there any conversations about what this might mean for the future of the program or speculation of someone else at the helm for Colorado football.
When a CU staffer announced “Coach is heading down from his office now,” there was a noticeable anticipation for his arrival that exceeded the typical levels. In the sports world, there are some names that change the temperature in the room just by walking in. Sanders has always been one of those names, but this was different. When Prime entered the room in his overalls, Stetson and blender sunglasses, the assumption of good news became increasingly evident.
Sanders on Monday was in “Prime Time” mode. We had not seen this version of him in some time, which speaks to the actual duration of the battle fought.
Today, he was even more socially conversational with reporters as he walked in the room. Going back to the final press conference of Spring Ball in April, something was off. After his “I’m leaving for Texas tomorrow to get some rest and relaxation before this bull junk on Thursday” comment, most in the room believed his change in demeanor and body language was completely NFL Draft related. As Sanders confirmed on Monday, it was not. What we saw on was confident, determined, adamant and even ‘happy’ Coach Prime.
As Sanders, Lauren Askevold (CU’s Assistant Athletic Trainer and Deion’s day-to-day medical care giver) and Dr. Janet Kukreja (Director of Urological Oncology for the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical campus-the primary hospital location outside Denver) outlined Deion’s cancer survival journey, it became immediately apparent that this would be a triumphant announcement.
There was a tone of gratitude, happiness, and optimism amidst the life changes for Sanders. This including vulnerable admissions many men in his position would hesitate to share. The commentary was open, honest, and revealing. There were lighthearted moments, too. Prime seemed to hint at a possible brand deal or partnership with the brand “Depends,” as well as the notion that viewers should not be surprised if they see a “porta potty” on the sidelines during practice.
Sanders chose this moment to maximize his reach and influence. He saw this as an opportunity to bring awareness to a condition that alters the lives of too many people. Deion is completely aware of his celebrity status. The larger-than-life idea of Deion Sanders has been the driving force behind the Colorado Buffaloes resurgence.
On Monday, however, Prime chose to use his name and experience as a means of bringing attention to something that could have killed him, if not for the work of the University of Colorado medical staff.
Related: Deion Sanders had bladder removed, “cured from the cancer” before season
Much of today’s press conference provided answers to virtually every question surrounding Sanders’ three-month absence. A void that is now, without question, completely understandable. Now that he is cancer-free, looking better, feeling better, Sanders is ready to resume the day-to-day business of coaching the Buffaloes.
Related: Deion Sanders, Karrueche Tran dating rumors swirl amid cancer treatment
Fall Camp begins this week with every indication that Coach Prime will be on the field, gold whistle in hand, ready to prepare the Buffs for their 2025 season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.