Deion Sanders’ Health Scare Makes Travis Hunter Step Up; Eldest Son Confirms

“It’s just an unbreakable son and father bond… I can’t even explain it enough, I love him so much and I know he loves me so much,” Travis Hunter shared in an appearance for ESPN’s College GameDay last year. His words weren’t said for the cameras — they came from a place of lived truth, of choosing to follow Deion Sanders across programs, against convention, and into the fire of national attention. “I don’t know where I would be without him,” he later told The Pivot Podcast. Their relationship, layered and deeply personal, has always been central to the Coach Prime era — and now, it’s coming into focus again for a different reason.

Deion Sanders is currently away from Colorado, recuperating in Texas as he deals with a concerning health issue. His absence from the Buffaloes’ summer camps — a violation of contractual norms — has raised eyebrows, but it’s the tone of his recent appearance on Asante Samuel Sr.’s podcast that truly worried fans. He spoke softly, admitted to losing 14 pounds, and offered little about his medical condition beyond the weight loss. It was a rare moment of visible vulnerability for someone known for unshakable confidence. Since then, neither the school nor Sanders himself has elaborated, a silence that’s only amplified public concern.

In that void, Travis Hunter has quietly begun stepping up — not as a player preparing for the NFL, but as someone standing by the man who’s been more than a coach to him. For those who’ve followed this duo closely, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. The depth of their bond, especially in Hunter’s own words, suggested he’d be there when it mattered most. And with Sanders pulled away from the sidelines, surrounded only by immediate family in Texas, signs of Hunter’s involvement have begun surfacing.

A short video clip, posted by Deion Sanders Jr., showed Hunter spending time at Sanders’ Texas home — not in any formal way, but as part of the family. He was seen fishing with members of the Sanders household, blending into the background in a way that spoke volumes. One user on X joked that Hunter was at his “other home” and the clan his “2nd family.” Bucky reposted the video, ending all doubt about the story. “Love that they remain close,” the account added afterwards. The moment resonated for a reason.

Hunter’s own father is currently serving a three-year prison sentence, something the young star has been open about in the past. That absence shaped much of how he’s gravitated toward Sanders, not just as a coach but as a stabilizing male figure in his life. From Jackson State to Colorado, from a 5-star recruit to a two-way phenom, Hunter has always credited Coach Prime with giving him more than just an opportunity — he gave him structure, identity, and belief. So when Sanders needed someone in his corner, it was no surprise who showed up. But apart from him, Cowboys legend Michael Irvin also dropped by and shared an emotional yet heartwarming thought about his dear friend’s health.

Michael Irvin shared notes from his visit to Deion Sanders

In the 1990s, Irvin and Coach Prime—then Prime Time—were two of the biggest stars in the NFL. They sparred on the field, then joined each other from 1995-99 and won a Super Bowl. The two remain great friends to this day. Irvin went to check up on Sanders and spoke about it in a June 7 episode of his podcast. “Deion and his situation, it is so important to me not to ever in any way make him feel like I’ve violated his trust. So I was afraid that if I started talking, I might say too much. At the time, there were only a few people who knew what was going on with Deion,” the NFL vet admitted.

Everyone with knowledge of what Sanders is going through has refused to give out details, out of respect for his privacy. Irvin shared that Coach Prime was not in good condition when they met. “So when I got to Deion, he was talking like this (in whispering tone) and it felt like, you know, this is my boy, I battled with this dude, man. I know how strong this dude is,” he said. We still do not know what condition the HC is dealing with or whether or not it’s serious. But Irvin also said that Sanders is on the way to recovery.

“By the time I left, the last thing he said to me was, ‘Michael, man, look how I’m talking, man.’ Cuz he was sounding like this, (in Coach Prime’s regular voice), I swear before God he said, ‘Man, see what I told you, dude?’ When I left, we had laughed so much, he was talking just like I’m talking right now.” Summer camps are underway at Boulder, and Coach Prime’s absence is worrying. But, just like Sanders assured and based on Irvin’s updates, he will be back at Colorado soon after getting back his health. With loved ones like Irvin and Hunter around, Deion Sanders sure has a solid unit to back him up!

Cowboys legend Michael Irvin also dropped by and shared an emotional yet heartwarming thought about his dear friend’s health.

Michael Irvin shared notes from his visit to Deion Sanders

In the 1990s, Irvin and Coach Prime—then Prime Time—were two of the biggest stars in the NFL. They sparred on the field, then joined each other from 1995-99 and won a Super Bowl. The two remain great friends to this day. Irvin went to check up on Sanders and spoke about it in a June 7 episode of his podcast. “Deion and his situation, it is so important to me not to ever in any way make him feel like I’ve violated his trust. So I was afraid that if I started talking, I might say too much. At the time, there were only a few people who knew what was going on with Deion,” the NFL vet admitted.

Everyone with knowledge of what Sanders is going through has refused to give out details, out of respect for his privacy. Irvin shared that Coach Prime was not in good condition when they met. “So when I got to Deion, he was talking like this (in whispering tone) and it felt like, you know, this is my boy, I battled with this dude, man. I know how strong this dude is,” he said. We still do not know what condition the HC is dealing with or whether or not it’s serious. But Irvin also said that Sanders is on the way to recovery.

“By the time I left, the last thing he said to me was, ‘Michael, man, look how I’m talking, man.’ Cuz he was sounding like this, (in Coach Prime’s regular voice), I swear before God he said, ‘Man, see what I told you, dude?’ When I left, we had laughed so much, he was talking just like I’m talking right now.” Summer camps are underway at Boulder, and Coach Prime’s absence is worrying. But, just like Sanders assured and based on Irvin’s updates, he will be back at Colorado soon after getting back his health. With loved ones like Irvin and Hunter around, Deion Sanders sure has a solid unit to back him up!