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Deion Sanders reveals text message he sent Shedeur, Shilo after making his will

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko07/30/25nickkosko59
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Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders was truly unsure if he’d made it while dealing with bladder cancer and he ended up writing a will in May. Coach Prime announced that he was cancer free this week and is ready to fully get back to coaching Colorado.

But amid the uncertainty, he drafted and sent a text to his sons Shedeur and Shilo after making his will. He wanted his two football sons to focus on their NFL careers and not worry about him.

Deion Sanders’ eldest, Deion Sanders Jr., was documenting the Hall of Famer’s battle and recovery from his illness and recently revealed that moment. You can see it below.

Shedeur and Shilo played for their father, notably, at Colorado over the last two years. Both are now in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively. Obviously during an emotional time, Deion Sanders wanted his sons to improve themselves rather than worry about him. Now, everyone can get back to football.

Sanders and the doctors present with him Monday, Dr. Janet Kukreia and CU athletic trainer Lauren Askevold, revealed he had bladder cancer. Coach Prime was revealed to have been cured of the cancer after surgery.

Deion Sanders reveals message sent to Sheduer, Shilo

Sanders underwent 14 surgeries that included a bladder removal. The Buffaloes’ leader was thankful for the doctors and support because he was truly unsure if he would make it to this point.

“The process wasn’t easy … you saw all the bull junk that transpired on draft day, it wasn’t just that,” Sanders said. “I had a surgery coming up. My sons to this day don’t know what transpired. I just told them something with my foot again, because I wanted them to focus on making the team and not focused on Dad. So they really don’t know. My daughters do and this joker right here. Much love to my son, Junior, who (did) not (leave) my side since we found out what was taking place. Not one day. He’s been with me here, been with me in Texas, been with me everywhere, every day, and I’ve seen his hands and face, and I love you to life, son, and I thank you for everything you bring to the table.

“But this wasn’t easy,” Sanders continued. “Men, everybody get checked out, because if it wasn’t for me, and get tested for something else, they wouldn’t have stumbled up on this. And make sure you go to the get the right care. Because without wonderful people like this, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here today, because it grew so expeditiously, I could say, but please get yourself checked out. Especially African American men, we don’t like going to the doctors. We don’t like nothing to do with the doctor. You know that. So I’m not just talking to the brothers. I’m talking to my Caucasian brothers, my Hispanic brothers, my Asian brothers, my everybody and my sisters. And that’s all y’all get checked out, because it could have been a whole another gathering.”