Deion Sanders health update: Michael Irvin states Colorado coach is 'in the best place he could be'
Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders had a particularly difficult offseason after undergoing surgery to remove his bladder following a stunning cancer diagnosis that kept him away from Boulder for much of the summer offseason.
But as he enters Week 2 of the 2025 college football season following Friday night’s 27-20 season-opening loss to visiting Georgia Tech, the third-year Buffaloes coach is only focused on returning the win column, and not on his health.
This news comes courtesy of Sanders’ former Dallas Cowboys teammate and close friend, Michael Irvin, during a Wednesday appearance on the Dan Patrick Show.
“You know how Deion’s doing, Deion had a game he could’ve won the other night. He had that game and it was a big game,” Irvin said when Patrick asked about Sanders. “Health-wise he’s great. Health-wise he’s in the best place he could be, and that’s right back on the sideline with his guys.”
Irvin went on to describe how Sanders was only focused on rejoining his team while rehabbing from his surgery during a visit to Sanders’ Texas mansion earlier this Summer.
“When I went to see him and he was really at his lowest, all he talked about to me — which was amazing — was ‘I haven’t seen my players.’ And I told him it reminded me of when my dad was very sick and he went to the doctor and all he was thinking about was his family,” Irvin continued. “It tells you the power and how powerful that kind of man is. So, yeah, he was like that thinking only about his players when he was at his lowest, and now his players are probably feeling low, yeah you know how he feels right now. But health-wise, he’s healthy.”
Sanders and his doctors addressed his cancer battle and subsequent surgeries to address the issue during a preseason press conference July 28. The 58-year-old Sanders underwent 14 total surgeries, including his bladder removal in May that has left him incontinent.
Sanders’ incontinence has involved several big changes in his life, including his need for adult diapers and a portable sideline toilet during games, which was unveiled ahead of Friday’s game. Sanders’ sideline toilet is sponsored by Depend, who has partnered with Sanders to be its new spokesperson.
“Depend is proud to help millions of people live more confidently every day with comfort and protection they can trust – this includes Coach,” Depend’s parent company, Kimberly-Clark, said in a statement to USA Today. “Wearing Depend isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a badge of resilience. It takes real courage to face health challenges head-on.
“We champion and celebrate Coach’s strength to share his experience with the world, which makes us proud to partner with, and support, him on this journey. Together, we know his voice will empower others to stand tall and help break the stigma that can come with wearing products like Depend.”
— On3’s Grant Grubbs and Nick Kosko contributed to this report.
