Deion Sanders Shares Encouraging Update During Health Battle

Sanders, 57, has been dealing with an unspecified health issue, which has kept him away from his coaching duties at Colorado. He has stayed out of the public light as he continues to recover at his home outside of Dallas. Sanders' absence was noticeable in May and confirmed by the Hall-of-Famer during a podcast appearance with former NFL defensive back Asante Samuel. 

"I've done no media. I've done nothing for a minute, Sanders admitted. "So coming on with you is something. I ain't been in front of nobody for a minute. I lost about 14 pounds. I'm coming back, but I needed this."

Sanders was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research (FSCDR) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. earlier this month, but was replaced by NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson. 

"Due to an unavoidable last-minute scheduling change, our originally scheduled Foundation Keynote Speaker, Deion Sanders “Coach Prime,” is unable to attend," the foundation's website read. "We are grateful for his support and look forward to future opportunities to welcome him."

Sanders has also missed Colorado's mandatory football camps and offseason workouts, adding to the speculation. He initially broke his silence on the matter with a social media post, but stopped short of explaining his current setback. 

"Wow, I am truly blessed for the abundance of well wishes, for all the thoughts and all of the prayers," Sanders posted on June 11. "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I can assure you all that everything is OKAY and will continue to be so. God got me like no other. I have so much more work to do to Glorify God so please believe God got me! I'm excited to get back to Colorado to be at home with my staff, team & all associated to our program. When we arrive back to Boulder you will be updated on everything."

Since the post, Sanders has welcomed Michael Irvin, Travis Hunter, and Adam 'Pacman' Jones for house visits to fish at his three lakes. No timeline has been set on his return to Boulder, but Coach Prime is planning to explain the situation once he's back on the job.  

Big 12 Football Media Days moved from Las Vegas to The Star in Frisco, Texas this year. It remains unclear whether or not Sanders will be in attendance when Colorado is scheduled on July 9.