STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Deion Sanders, the University of Colorado football coach and former pro football star, did not show up for some campus events last spring. On Monday, he revealed why. Colorado Public Radio’s Tony Gorman reports.
TONY GORMAN, BYLINE: Sanders had spent most of the offseason at his home in Texas. During that time, his son Deion Sanders Jr. had posted that his father was having health problems. But he never gave any specifics other than, he’s doing OK. At a press conference yesterday, the coach announced that he had had bladder removal surgery in April. One of his doctors was urologist Dr. Janet Kukreja.
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JANET KUKREJA: And I am pleased to report that the results from the surgery are that he is cured from the cancer.
GORMAN: While he was being treated, Sanders didn’t tell many people about the diagnosis, including his team.
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DEION SANDERS: And I wanted to see them work, see them train, coach them, and I couldn’t. I couldn’t. But slowly but surely, I built myself back up to where I’m able. I’m strong. I’m ready.
GORMAN: Before the press conference, rumors swirled that Sanders might retire as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. Last season, the team was 9 and 4 and went to the Alamo Bowl. But after the season ended, Sanders’ sons and star players Shedeur and Shilo and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter all left for the NFL. Yesterday, the man they call Coach Prime says he never thought about leaving his job.
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SANDERS: I was always going to coach. It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that God wouldn’t allow me to coach again. That’s – never thought like that.
GORMAN: Sanders, who is 57, was once one of the most dynamic athletes in pro sports, playing both professional baseball and football. He’s credited with reenergizing the football program in Colorado after he was named coach two years ago. Fall football camp in Colorado started yesterday. Its season starts August 29 against Georgia Tech at home.
For NPR News, I’m Tony Gorman in Denver.
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ZUL-QARNAIN AND FRESH X RECKLESS: (Singing) A few good men. Follow their lead at close time. This time is the first… Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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