For weeks, Deion Sanders’ health had been a mystery, keeping fans and friends on edge, and now we know why. The Colorado Buffaloes’ head coach finally broke his silence, revealing that he’s been fighting cancer for a few months. The battle was so difficult that Coach Prime initially kept it from his own family. Thankfully, after treatment, he now calls himself cured. But the journey tested those closest to him. And Warren Sapp was the one who almost lost his calm when Sanders went silent, filled with panic and desperately seeking information. It wasn’t just a health scare; it was a test for everyone around him.

With Deion Sanders away from Boulder, concern spread quickly. Friends soon began visiting his ranch. Lil Wayne and Lil Twist stopped by his Texas home, and Michael Irvin visited a few weeks prior. However, the most memorable visit was from Warren Sapp, who, unsure of the situation, “went crazy” and immediately flew over. But what happened next is history…

When Warren Sapp couldn’t track any details about Coach Prime, the first thing he did was make sure he was okay. “He wasn’t here. We couldn’t get a message. I was getting green messages when it’s usually blue. I went to the ranch. Yeah. I just got on the plane and went; I called him. I said, ‘Whoever is opening the gate, tell them I’m coming or I’m going through the gate.’ So, I had to go see him. That’s our man. I love him. Like mom’s [cooked] food. I just had to go make sure he was good,” he said on Buffs TV.

This summer was a tough one, marked by health scares and draft drama that profoundly impacted Coach Prime. His health has always been a major concern; he lost two toes in 2021 while at Jackson State, and doctors had cautioned him for years about potential blood clots, circulation issues, and the risk of losing his foot. And then the hardest battle of his life hit him. So when the entire world was criticizing his kids, Shedeur Sanders‘ draft fall, and Shilo‘s undrafted status, he was going through a tough mental and physical battle.

The hardest part? He couldn’t share what he was going through. Coach Prime secretly fought bladder cancer this year, keeping it from his sons. Diagnosed in the spring of 2025, he chose silence, wanting Shedeur and Shilo to concentrate on their football aspirations without the added worry. It wasn’t until after a successful surgery, which involved removing his bladder, that he could finally announce he was cancer-free.

But even now, the Buffs HC is fighting hard to regain his full strength. “You can tell by my voice that I don’t have my full energy yet, I don’t have my ‘Let’s go! yet. I didn’t worry, me and worry don’t get along. When I first found out that I had cancer, I thought: Lord, what you need me to do? Let me know my role so that I know it and I can expedite this process,” Sanders stated on Well Off Media.

Now, Sanders is turning his fight into fuel, but he’s still awaiting the official all-clear status. His mission now? Inspire hope, guide Colorado’s comeback, and prove his resilience against all odds. And, as he recovers, Sapp and his NFL staff maintain Boulder’s sharp culture and details.

Warren Sapp holding up the charge in Deion Sanders’ absence

Deion Sanders has built a Colorado staff with serious NFL pedigree, boasting a combined 160 years of experience in playing, coaching, and broadcasting. The team includes Hall of Famers Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk (RBs Coach), alongside Pat Shurmur (OC), Robert Livingston (DC), Jason Phillips (WRs Coach), Kevin Mathis (CBs Coach), Domata Peko (DL Coach), George Hegamin (OL Coach), and Andre Gurode (Asst. OL Coach). Together, they bring 27 Pro Bowl selections, five Super Bowl rings, an NFL MVP award, three Hall of Fame inductions, and a trophy case overflowing with accolades.

Now, this resume isn’t just for show; it’s already showing up in how they are running their fall camp. With Coach Prime currently recovering from bladder cancer, Sapp has taken charge in Boulder, ensuring discipline with strict stretching lines, precise drill execution, and a zero-tolerance policy for any sloppiness. “It’s the little things that will make us great,” Sapp said. “It’s the tedious repetition of the little things, over and over and over again. That’s what we do. He [Sanders] has so much other things on his plate. I figured I’d handle the little things.” And it’s not just him; even Marshall Faulk is holding up the same standard.

Faulk’s approach to the offense mirrors this emphasis. He honed footwork to an art, ensuring every running back masters the fundamentals before adding their style. It’s about building a solid base and then letting talent flourish. With Sapp’s intensity and Faulk’s precision, this setup perfectly embodies Sanders’ vision: NFL-caliber attention to detail, consistently. But their dedication goes further.

Both Sapp and Faulk attended the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton last weekend, gathering insights from football legends. Sapp even captured personal video messages from former players to share with his young Buffaloes. “I just soak it up from them, and I bring it back to the babies, because just hearing it from me, they hear me all the time,” said Sapp. “But when John Randle was on (the video), and I could see their eyes pop up, I got a whole new message… I’m going to give them everything I’ve got.” Even Faulk was nothing but eager to head back to his running backs.

For now, both of them have got Deion Sanders covered, but let’s just hope he heads back to Boulder before the season kicks off.