Deion Sanders Announces He's Cancer-Free, 'I Got My Life Back'

Deion Sanders has big personal health news to share.

The former NFL star turned Colorado Buffaloes head coach was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer in 2025. Sanders has since been undergoing treatment, while continuing to fulfill his responsibilities as the head coach of the University of Colorado football program. But this week, Sanders declared that he is cancer free.

"I got my life back," Sanders said this week. "I got my swagger back."

Sanders shared the initial diagnosis last summer. His cancer was discovered during a routine CT scan. He had a tumor that needed to be removed.

Sanders, who has also dealt with blood clots and a near-leg amputation, declared that he's finally feeling good during an appearance on "Good Morning America."

"I'm cancer free. I'm good," Sanders said. "Great doctors in Colorado that [have] brought me through. God has brought me through. I'm thankful, I'm healthy. I got my swagger back. Like, I'm ready to go, coach my butt off. And I'm having a good time.

"But early detection was key getting on it early, because you know amputation, so they were checking for something else and stumbled upon this. So early detection helped me out tremendously."

Sanders opens up about his health issues

Sanders needed to have surgery in 2023 to improve his circulation after getting blood clots. He began experiencing more leg pain and clotting issues last year, ultimately undergoing a clot-removing procedure. Then, he received the cancer diagnosis, which required serious bladder surgery.

"Now you're sitting in the room, don't know what's what, can't control your bladder," Sanders said. "You got a whole new bladder. Your bladder don't know you, you don't know it. You're peeing in the bed. I remember going to a speaking engagement and the first thing I do, and we left that morning, like 7 a.m. and I had to be there at 830. First thing I do is grab my crotch. Because I'm like, oh, my God, I hope I haven't peed on myself. I didn't bring another change of clothes.

"When you're playing a football game, night game, we played, we fly back on the plane. First thing you do is wake up and you grab your crotch. Oh, my God, I hope I haven't peed on myself."

Sanders has since signed on to be a spokesman for Depend. He finally feels comfortable in his own skin.

"I don't have to be afraid to travel anymore," Sanders said. "I don't have to be afraid to have a good night's sleep. I have the product that helps me."

Colorado's 2026 season, meanwhile, kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Georgia Tech.

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:23 AM.