Deion Sanders Praises God after Cancer Battle Saying ‘Without Prayer Where Would We Be?’

An emotional Deion Sanders praised God Monday as he and his medical team revealed that he is cancer-free following a medical scare in which doctors discovered a tumor on his bladder in April and then performed surgery the next month. Doctors successfully removed his bladder and then constructed a neobladder using part of his small intestine -- a procedure that will allow him to live a largely normal life.
The 57-year-old Sanders -- heading into his third season as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes -- left no doubts that he will continue coaching. He also left no doubt who he credits for his health -- first God, and then his doctors.
"God is so good," said Sanders, who began the news conference wearing his signature sunglasses but soon took them off when he began crying. His medical team sat on each side of him at the podium.
An outspoken Christian, Sanders said he never doubted God's faithfulness.
"I never once, through this whole journey, said, 'God, why me?'" he said, pointing to his blessings. "Because I would have to say, 'God, why [did] You sit me up here in front of these wonderful people? Why [did] You give me the position of the head football coach of this prestigious university? Why [did] You allow me to father five wonderful kids? Why [did] You give me these relationships with these wonderful people?"
Sanders said he leaned on prayer during his battle with cancer.
"I said, 'Lord, whatever it is that You're doing, let me know what it is, so I could expedite the process. Because I know You got me. I've seen You have my back. I've seen You there in the midst of storms."
Sanders said he doesn't take his cancer-free status for granted, recognizing that for many, the diagnosis is worse.
"Everybody in this room, I guarantee you, have been affected by that C-word somewhere in your life, some parents, some friends, some loved ones -- somebody has been affected or infected," Sanders said.
God is Good! pic.twitter.com/CFmncq3p00
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) July 28, 2025
The Colorado coach also drew a parallel to the story of Job.
"The devil had to ask God, 'Have you considered my servant Prime?'… I know he gonna magnify me. I know he gonna glorify Me -- and that's what has transpired."
On X, Sanders asked, "Without prayer where would we be?"
I want to Thank everyone that prayed, thought of my journey & ask God to intervene. I appreciate u so much. Without prayer where would we be. Also thank u for your friendship your faithfulness & your spirit that exudes Peace. #CoachPrime
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) July 29, 2025
Meanwhile, Sanders said he hopes his own medical scare leads others to get regular health checkups. Doctors discovered Sanders' cancer during an annual CT scan.
"If it could happen to Prime, baby, it could happen to you."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Stacy Revere/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published July 29, 2025.