BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is preparing to undergo a medical procedure on Tuesday due to ongoing blood clot issues. The surgery, which is set to take place later in the day, aims to treat blood clots in Sanders’ left popliteal and tibial arteries. Despite the challenges, Sanders expressed his determination to return to the sidelines soon, with hopes to be back in action by Wednesday’s practice, ahead of Colorado’s home game against Iowa State this Saturday.
This medical procedure, called an aspiration thrombectomy, typically lasts several hours and involves removing clots that have obstructed blood flow to key arteries in the leg. For Sanders, this marks the latest chapter in a series of health challenges that have affected him both on and off the field.
A Painful Weekend and an Immediate Response
Sanders’ decision to undergo surgery follows a painful weekend during Colorado’s 35-21 loss to TCU. While coaching from the sideline, Sanders was visibly in discomfort, alternating between sitting and limping, with his left leg throbbing from the strain. His physical distress was apparent as he opted not to wear a shoe on his left foot in the second half of the game. The pain was so intense that after the loss, Sanders openly admitted he was “hurting like crazy.”
However, despite his visible discomfort, Sanders remained upbeat about his recovery and expressed optimism regarding his return to the team. He acknowledged the severity of the situation but stressed that the blood clot condition was hereditary and unrelated to the intensity of his work ethic or coaching duties.
“I’m going to be all right,” Sanders said during his media appearance on Monday. “Prayerfully, I’ll be right back tomorrow because I don’t miss practice. I don’t plan on doing such.”
Blood Clots: A Longstanding Health Challenge
Sanders, 58, has had a long history of health issues related to blood clots. This is not the first time he has faced such challenges. During his time as head coach at Jackson State in 2021, Sanders was forced to undergo a series of medical procedures to address blood clots that led to the amputation of two toes on his left foot. The complications stemming from the blood clot condition have continued to impact his daily life, causing him to undergo multiple surgeries, including one in 2023 to remove a clot from his right leg. Additionally, Sanders had a procedure to straighten the toes on his left foot, a consequence of his previous health battles.
Despite these ongoing health issues, Sanders has remained resolute in his commitment to his team and his coaching duties. In fact, after this latest procedure, he stated his intention to return to the team quickly, underscoring his dedication to the Buffaloes and his work as a mentor to young athletes.
Support from Friends and Family
During Tuesday’s media session, Sanders received support from close friends, including former NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, who attended the press conference in solidarity. Sanders expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of well-wishes and prayers he’s received, noting that while people have encouraged him to slow down, he believes there is little he could have done to prevent his current health situation.
“I’ve got a lot of well-wishes, of people talking about: ‘You need to slow down. You need to take a break,’” Sanders said. “There’s nothing that I could’ve done to stop what’s transpiring. Nothing that I could’ve taken or something that I’m just not abiding by. It is what it is.”
Though Sanders has faced multiple setbacks in recent years, he remains determined to continue coaching at the highest level. He has worked through various challenges, including spending time away from the team over the summer to undergo treatment for an aggressive form of bladder cancer. Sanders shared that part of his treatment involved doctors reconstructing a section of his intestine to function as a bladder, a complex procedure that required significant recovery.
During games, Colorado’s athletic department took steps to accommodate Sanders’ medical needs, introducing a portable sideline bathroom to help him manage the frequent restroom visits required by his condition. This portable bathroom, sponsored by Depend underwear, allowed Sanders to stay focused on the game while managing his bladder cancer recovery.
The Buffaloes’ Struggles and Sanders’ Perspective
On the field, the Buffaloes have faced a difficult season so far. They currently sit at 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 conference play, with a string of losses that have highlighted the team’s struggles in critical moments. The Buffaloes have dropped their last two games, both of which were decided by narrow margins. Despite these setbacks, Sanders remains optimistic about his team’s potential.
“The reason I’m still excited about this team that just finished practicing is because I don’t feel like we’ve gotten our butt kicked,” Sanders said. “I feel like we’ve just wrapped it up and given (games) to them. That’s frustrating. But also there’s hope in that. That we see where we’re messing up at, we see where the faults are and we’ve got to fix that. So there’s truly optimism.”
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Sanders expressed belief in the players’ abilities and emphasized that while the Buffaloes may not be performing at their best, they are still better than their current record suggests. He pointed out the areas where improvements could be made, particularly in the execution of crucial moments in games, and he remains confident that the team can improve and find success as the season progresses.
“I’m not saying we’re a great football team, but we’re not a bad football team,” Sanders said. “We’re better than we’re playing.”
Looking Ahead: Iowa State and the Rest of the Season
As Colorado prepares to host No. 22 Iowa State this Saturday, Sanders will be working from the sidelines after his procedure. While the upcoming game presents a significant challenge, Sanders’ resolve to be back and coaching as soon as possible shows his unwavering commitment to his players and the program. Iowa State, with a record of 5-1, poses a tough opponent, and Colorado will need to put forth its best effort to have a chance at securing a win.
For Sanders, overcoming his health struggles is just another challenge in his coaching journey. His resilience in the face of adversity has become a hallmark of his leadership style. Whether it’s managing personal health issues or navigating the complexities of a football season, Sanders continues to embody the perseverance and determination he expects from his players.
With a few key adjustments and continued focus on improving execution, Sanders is hopeful that his team will be able to turn things around and finish the season on a strong note. As always, his message to the players is clear: stay focused, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing forward—both on and off the field.
