BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado football coach Deion Sanders revealed Monday that he underwent surgery to remove his bladder after doctors discovered a tumor, but emphasized he is now cancer-free and will continue coaching this season.

Speaking at a packed event in the Dal Ward Athletic Center alongside Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Sanders balanced raw honesty with humor about his ordeal. Kukreja declared him "cured of cancer," stressing she doesn’t "use that word lightly."

"This wasn’t easy—it was a dynamic, tough fight," said Sanders, who lost 25 pounds during treatment. "But we made it."

The tumor was detected during a routine vascular exam, part of Sanders’ ongoing care due to his history of blood clots. Team trainer Lauren Askevold praised his resilience: "He never wavered. You couldn’t ask for a better patient."

Sanders, 57, kept the severity of his condition private—even from his sons Shedeur, Shilo, and protégé Travis Hunter—to avoid distracting them ahead of the NFL Draft. "They didn’t know the extent," he said. He changed his phone number multiple times to limit outside inquiries.

Though largely absent from the public eye recently, Sanders briefly addressed his health at Big 12 Media Days, deflecting specifics until Monday’s candid discussion. He detailed his faith, recovery, and lifestyle adjustments post-surgery, joking about relying on adult diapers: "If you see a port-a-potty on the sideline, it’s real."

Kukreja explained surgeons used part of Sanders’ small intestine to reconstruct his bladder, affirming he’s medically cleared to coach. "It’s a learning curve," she noted about post-op life.

Sanders met with players Sunday to share his journey, having previously disclosed only vague hints—like a July social media video where he admitted he "wasn’t all the way recovered." His health battles include past blood clots, a 2022 toe amputation, and emergency surgery in 2023.

"Get checked out," Sanders urged. "This could’ve been a different gathering if I hadn’t."

On the field, Sanders enters his third season at Colorado, tasked with replacing star quarterback Shedeur. Five-star freshman Julian Lewis and Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter will compete for the role.