(BCSNN) — Colorado head coach Deion Sanders revealed over the weekend that he may be facing a recurrence of blood clots in his leg, a troubling development that comes just months after undergoing surgery to remove his bladder due to cancer. Sanders, 58, shared the update following the Buffaloes’ 35–21 loss to TCU, noting that he was in visible pain throughout the game and had removed his left shoe on the sideline to alleviate discomfort.
“I think I got more blood clots,” Sanders said during his postgame press conference. "Cat's out of the bag, all right. I think I've got more blood clots," Sanders said. "It don't make sense. I'm hurting like crazy." Sanders added that he has a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Monday to assess the situation further.
The health scare is the latest in a series of medical challenges for Sanders, who had two toes amputated in 2021 due to blood circulation issues and underwent multiple surgeries in 2023 to remove clots from his legs. Earlier this year, Sanders was diagnosed with bladder cancer and opted for surgery to remove the organ rather than pursue chemotherapy. He has since been declared cancer-free, though he continues to adjust to life with a surgically reconstructed bladder.
Despite the physical toll, Sanders has remained active on the sidelines, though his mobility has been visibly limited. During Saturday’s game, he was seen limping, sitting intermittently, and favoring his left leg. “We just went on a walk, and my foot is throbbing right now,” Sanders said earlier in the week. “I can’t wait to get out of these shoes and go get it rubbed down and iced”.
Sanders’ health concerns come amid a rocky stretch for Colorado football. The Buffaloes have dropped to 2–4 on the season and remain winless against Big 12 competition. The team’s performance against TCU was marred by turnovers and missed opportunities, including three first-half interceptions.
While Sanders has not indicated any plans to step away from coaching, the recurrence of blood clots could complicate his ability to remain on the field full-time. His previous hospitalizations have included extended stays and multiple procedures, raising questions about how future treatment might impact his availability and leadership.
Sanders has been candid about his health journey, often using it as a platform to encourage others to seek medical care and remain resilient. “I choose to rise up and not to stay down,” he said during a recent interview. “We’ve all got something to fight. It may not be cancer, but it’s something. But you will overcome.”
Colorado returns home next weekend to host no. 22 Iowa State, with Sanders expected to coach - pending the outcome of his medical evaluation. For now, the Buffaloes will look to regroup on the field while their head coach faces yet another battle off of it.
