The Colorado Buffaloes finally got the win they had been chasing. The Buffaloes beat No. 22 Iowa State 24–17 at Folsom Field in Boulder, pulling off one of their biggest victories of the season. With the win, Colorado improved to 3–4, while Iowa State dropped to 5–2. Guess who was there to cheer their head coach, Deion Sanders? His longtime friend and Super Bowl winner, Michael Irvin!

Irvin shared multiple stories on Instagram on October 11 showing the fans and team celebrations. In one story, he sat in the coach’s office while Sanders talked to the media. “I’m sitting in Coach Prime’s office while he’s doing his press conference. We’re going to get all the football out the way. Then I’m going to talk to him about that health. So glad we got to win today though. Needed that. I’m glad he got a win today, he needed that,” the legend said, giving an update to his fans that he was with his friend through thick and thin.

Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders shared the field for five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 1995 to 1999, winning a Super Bowl together in 1996. Their camaraderie has endured, and they continue to support each other off the field.

However, he also indicated that Deion Sanders’ health struggles aren’t over yet. On Saturday, though, it was a cheerful vibe everywhere in Boulder.

The game started strong for the Buffaloes. Running back Micah Welch powered through the Cyclones’ defense for an 8-yard touchdown, finishing a 90-yard drive in the first quarter. Iowa State responded with a field goal and a short touchdown run by Abu Sama III to take a 10–7 lead at halftime. But in the second half, quarterback Kaidon Salter took control.

He connected with Omarion Miller on a 70-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter, putting Colorado back in front. Iowa State answered again with another 1-yard run from Sama, but Salter found Joseph Williams for a 3-yard score to regain the lead, 21–17. In the fourth quarter, Colorado’s defense stepped up and stopped Iowa State’s drives cold. Kicker Alejandro Mata added a 29-yard field goal with five minutes left, sealing the 24–17 win.

It was a proud moment for Coach Deion Sanders and his team, especially considering what Sanders has been through off the field.

Deion Sanders is facing health challenges

Just days before the game, Sanders underwent a medical procedure for blood clots in his leg. According to the Associated Press, he had an aspiration thrombectomy to clear arteries behind his left knee. It was his 16th surgery in recent years. Despite that, Sanders returned to practice the next day, standing at the 35-yard line with a play sheet in hand, watching over his players as they prepared for Iowa State.

His son Deion Sanders Jr. shared a short video of him back at work, calm and focused as always. In another clip from Well Off Media, filmed in the hospital before surgery, Sanders said, “Same position. Never doubting God, never stressing, never second-guessing.” Longtime friend Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones visited him that day, while his sons Shedeur and Shilo called to check in and lift his spirits.

The 58-year-old coach was in clear pain during Colorado’s loss to TCU the week before. He limped along the sidelines, even taking off his left shoe because of swelling. After the game, he admitted, “I’m hurting like crazy.” Sanders has been dealing with health challenges for years.

In 2021, while at Jackson State, he suffered blood clots and compartment syndrome, leading to the amputation of two toes on his left foot. In 2023, he had another surgery to remove clots from his right leg and missed Pac-12 media day. Earlier this year, he revealed that he had battled bladder cancer and underwent surgery to remove his bladder, later replaced with a section of his intestine. Still, Sanders’ faith and dedication have never wavered.

Before his most recent procedure, he told fans, “I am having a procedure today. Prayerfully, I’ll be right back at practice tomorrow. It is what it is. Found what we found. I have a wonderful team of doctors and trainers here.” And he meant it. He was back with the team less than 24 hours later. Even through his pain, Sanders continues to lead his players with faith and determination.

He’s brought in NFL veterans like Marshall Faulk, Domata Peko, and Byron Leftwich to help guide his young team, making sure the program doesn’t lose direction even when he’s not at full strength.