The Colorado football summer quiet was deafening with rumors, and both the fans and media had the sense that something was not right. Rumors had been circulating as to why Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders had quietly quit during spring and summer drills. No injury news, no official reports. Just a superstar coach with his typical swagger, silenced by worry. Given how much is on the line in Boulder, A-list recruits, new jerseys, and social media-breaking press conferences, any quiet period came off like an alarm bell. Buffs fans wondered: What is really happening with Coach Prime?

The news arrived soon after. During a July 28 press conference, Sanders announced he had been diagnosed with a highly aggressive case of bladder cancer. He had surgery in May that involved total bladder removal and reconstruction with part of his intestine. He lost about 25 pounds. There were emotional high points, including confessing that he had made a will during that bleak period. But simultaneously, his medical team declared him cancer-free, actually cured. And indeed, he affirmed he would be coaching Colorado in 2025. And indeed, fall camp opens next week, with the August 29 opener against Georgia Tech still boldly marked. Buffs Nation caught its breath because Coach Prime is back.

And then we get into the nitty-gritty in that third paragraph. Sanders moved through the newsroom surrounded by Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urologic oncology at CU Health, and while he was tearful, he was direct: he’s recovered. “I was always going to be a coach,” he repeated, making it clear that retirement wasn’t a possibility for him on either a spiritual or other level. Kukreja reinforced the urgency: if the cancer had progressed, five-year survival probabilities would have been as low as 10%. They caught it early. They took it out. And he’s clear. It was strenuous, but he’s “back and feeling great.”

The loss of Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter creates gaping holes, more than 3,200 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns lost. Quarterback responsibilities now are the province of transfer Kaidon Salter and five-star freshman Julian Lewis. The running game and offensive line do pose questions, but a good transfer haul might stabilize those. But continuity of coaching, having Coach Prime and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in the mix, makes Buff loyalists feel assured of innovative game plans and stable leadership. Finally, while the cancer surprise shook up Buff Nation, Coach Sanders added that moment of disclosure with faith, humor, and conviction.

He even poked fun at requiring a porta-potty on the sideline. He thanked God, shared tales of grit, and urged others to get tested. He’s had past health scares with blood clots and toe amputations. Now, he’s strolling out of the strongest moment of his life, on his own terms, in front of Folsom Field. The Buffs will open 2025 not only with a head coach but with a survivor eager to pen a new history, and supporters are all-in.

Who is the doctor who healed Deion Sanders from cancer?

Dr. Janet Kukreja is not only the doctor who treated Deion Sanders, but she’s also one of America’s top experts in urologic oncology. A board-certified urologist and assistant professor of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Janet has expertise in bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and robotic surgery. She was instrumental in the recovery of Coach Prime, overseeing him through both diagnosis and a significant surgery that resulted in the removal of his bladder and the creation of a new one out of part of his intestine.

She sat alongside Coach Prime himself as the former NFL great spoke with the media. Janet reported, “Yeah, we went ahead with the removal of the bladder tumor. It was very aggressive backwards, because you guys presented me with choices and terrified me to death. We took out the tumor,” she explained. It was very high grade and dating through the bladder wall, not into the muscle layer, something we refer to as very high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

“We did a complete robot-assisted laparoscopic removal of the bladder and reconstruction of a new bladder. And I am happy to say that the outcomes of the surgery are that he is cancer-free,” she finished. Dr. Kukreja’s skills literally saved his life. And her efforts made sure that the face of Colorado football could return not only healthy, but whole. As fall camp breaks open and Folsom Field gets ready to roar once more, it’s apparent Coach Prime is not finished. He’s only just beginning, and Buffs fans will be right behind him every step of the way.