For more than 40 years, Deion Sanders has embodied the concept of cool in American sports culture, a look-good, play-good mentality combined with a monumental ego. He’s one of the most colorful and talented players in football history … and now, he’s talking with pride, without shame, about wearing Depends.
“I depend on Depends, if you know what I mean,” he said Monday at a press conference disclosing his recent health issues. Coach Prime was half-joking, yes, but also 100% serious. “I truly depend on Depends. I cannot control my bladder.”
It’s one hell of a swerve, and Prime Time is turning a near-tragedy into a teaching opportunity. Sanders revealed on Monday that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, necessitating the removal of his bladder. The procedure was a success — his doctor says he is “cured” — and Coach Prime will return to the sidelines this fall on schedule to lead the Colorado Buffaloes.
Sanders spent much of the early summer in Texas recovering from the surgery. On Monday, he spoke to the media with his doctor, Dr. Janet Kukreja of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Colorado athletic trainer Lauren Askevold at his side. And he announced his condition with a combination of solemnity, defiance, humor and inspiration.
“I didn’t stare death in the face,” Sanders said. “I stared life in the face.”
Sanders went deep into the circumstances of his recovery, speaking without even slightly flinching about his newly changed bathroom habits, laughing that he and his grandson were in the same situation with their diapers.
“Can’t pee like I used to pee,” Sanders said. “It’s totally different.” He lost 25 pounds — getting back to his Atlanta Falcons weight, he joked — and noted that he’ll need to rely on adult diapers going forward. He’ll also have a portable toilet nearby at all times, even during games.
“If you see a Porta-Potty on the sideline, it is real,” Sanders said. “I’m just telling you right now, you’re going to see it.”
The significance of someone like Sanders, the epitome of a football alpha male, speaking forthrightly on what could be an embarrassing condition can’t be overstated. Sanders said many times during Monday’s press conference that he sees himself as a messenger, leaning heavily on faith.
But he emphasized that he wanted people not to focus on the faith element, but on the healthcare aspect of his situation for inspiration. He acknowledged the hesitancy that many people, particularly men, have toward going to a doctor, but he stressed the need for regular checkups and good care.
“The initial thing you do is what we all do. We Google. And that’s the wrong thing to do,” Sanders said. “‘You gon’ die.’ I mean, like, they pretty much say that when you Google it, and you don’t want to see that mess.”
Sanders has polarized the football world ever since his days at Florida State, already confident enough in his abilities to go by the nickname “Prime Time.” He blazed a trail through the NFL, winning Super Bowls and terrorizing quarterbacks, and along the way played baseball as a side hustle. Since moving into coaching, he’s revived the fortunes of Colorado, transforming Travis Hunter into a Heisman winner and providing a launching pad for his son Shedeur to reach the NFL.
Love him or hate him, Sanders inspires no mild feelings. But now, by staring cancer in the face and potentially inspiring others to do the same, Sanders has the opportunity to do far more good off the field than he ever could on it.
“If it could happen to Prime,” he said, “it could happen to you.”
