In a moving press conference held Monday, football coach Deion Sanders announced he is officially cancer-free following surgery for an aggressive form of bladder cancer.

The former NFL star revealed that after a challenging year of medical treatment, he has fully recovered and plans to resume coaching duties for the University of Colorado this season, CBN reported.

Sanders had stepped away from the Buffaloes' football summer camps last month due to undisclosed health issues. On Monday, he reappeared alongside medical staff and trainers to confirm the reason for his absence: a battle with high-risk non-invasive bladder cancer discovered earlier this year.

How an ACT Scan Led to a Life-Changing Diagnosis

During an ACT scan to examine blood clots, Sanders’ healthcare team noticed something suspicious. Assistant athletic trainer Lauren Askevold explained that the findings prompted doctors to recommend a follow-up visit with a urologist.

That referral ultimately led to Sanders’ primary physician detecting a tumor in the bladder. According to Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urologic oncology at the CU Cancer Center, the tumor was classified as very high grade and had invaded the bladder wall, but not the muscle layer, placing it in the high-risk cancer category.

Given the aggressive nature of the tumor, Sanders chose to undergo a surgical procedure to remove his bladder entirely and have a new one constructed. Dr. Kukreja reported that the surgery was successful and that Sanders is now considered cancer-free.

Surgery and Recovery Inspired Emotional and Spiritual Reflections

Though the procedure was physically demanding, Sanders described the past year as an emotional fight. He lost about 25 pounds during the process and acknowledged it was far from easy.

“It was dynamic. It was tough. It wasn’t a cakewalk,” Sanders shared. “That was a fight, but we made it.”

He also reflected on one of the most difficult emotional moments: preparing for surgery while drafting a will. In a video posted by Well Off Media on July 28, he admitted that facing mortality head-on made the days leading up to the operation especially painful.

Sanders Credits Faith and Medical Team for His Survival

Publicly open about his Christian beliefs, Sanders took a moment during the press conference to thank those who supported him through the ordeal. “I want to thank everyone who prayed, thought of my journey, and asked God to intervene,” he said.

He added, “Without prayer, where would we be? Also, thank you for your friendship, your faithfulness, and your spirit that exudes peace.” His faith, he stressed, played a central role in his healing process and ongoing strength.

Sanders reserved special gratitude for his doctors and caregivers, crediting them with aiding in early detection. He urged others, especially men, to seek regular medical evaluations. “Men, everybody, get checked out,” he said, emphasizing that his cancer was discovered during unrelated tests for blood clots.

Return to the Field with a Renewed Purpose

Now entering his third season as head coach at Colorado, Sanders said he never doubted he would return to the field. “I always knew I was going to coach again,” he said.

However, he did joke about the personal adjustments following surgery. Referencing the new bladder, he lightheartedly mentioned possibly needing a portable restroom on the sidelines.

Despite the humor, he maintains a serious tone when discussing the responsibility he feels toward coaching and serving as a role model. “I have so much more work to do to glorify God,” he wrote in a social media message ahead of Monday’s appearance.

A Coach Changed but Not Conquered

In a note of both celebration and humility, Sanders declared, “God got me like no other.” He continued, “I can assure you all that everything is okay and will continue to be so.”

As his team prepares for the upcoming fall camp, Sanders said he is eager to rejoin his staff and student-athletes, announcing, “I’m excited to get back to Colorado to be at home with my staff, team, and all associated with our program.”

For Sanders, this chapter closes not just with a clean bill of health, but a renewed focus on gratitude, forgiveness, and love. “Let’s stop judging, stop hating and let love have its way,” he added in one of his final remarks from the podium.