Coach Deion Sanders, the one and only “Prime Time,” made his return to the University of Colorado sidelines for the 2025 football season opener. He was there, full of energy, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, this past Friday, August 29. But it wasn’t just his signature style that caught everyone’s eye. Right there next to the Colorado bench, a portable toilet stood guard. This was a clear sign of his ongoing recovery from bladder cancer surgery. Photos shared online from the game showed Coach Sanders running the field, cheering on his Buffaloes against Georgia Tech. He was decked out in a black jacket and pants, with white knee-high socks and a cowboy hat. That portable commode, a unique sideline addition, even had the “Depends” brand name showing. Looks like they’re helping out with his temporary setup, as ESPN reporter Adam Rittenberg pointed out in a tweet.
Just weeks before his return, back on July 28, Sanders gave a powerful press conference at the University of Colorado. He openly shared his health journey then. He revealed that doctors found a cancerous tumor and had to remove his bladder in May. This happened after weeks of people wondering about his health. The NFL Hall of Famer, who started coaching Colorado in December 2022, happily announced he was now cancer-free.
Sanders, 58, didn’t sugarcoat how tough it had been. He mentioned losing about 25 pounds. He called the whole surgery and healing process “a tremendous journey.” He talked about dealing with a catheter and other challenges. “It’s a complete life change,” Sanders confessed. “I can’t urinate like I used to, I’ll be transparent.” He added that he’s still figuring out going to the bathroom. That’s why he warned fans they might see portable restrooms on the sideline throughout the season. “I depend on Depends,” Sanders even joked.
Beyond his own recovery, Sanders used his platform to send a vital message. He pushed others to get regular health checks. “Men, everybody, please get checked,” he urged. “If I hadn’t gone to get checked for something else, they wouldn’t have found this.” He wants people to drop any shame and face health issues head-on. “There are a lot of people out there dealing with the same thing I am,” Sanders said. He truly believes it could have been a very different story for him if he hadn’t gotten checked.
This season also marks a new chapter for Coach Prime in another way. It’s his first time as head coach without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, on the team. The trio arrived at Colorado together in 2022 after three seasons at Jackson State University. Shedeur, who is 23, was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s currently their third-string quarterback. Shilo, 25, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in April. However, the team cut him earlier this month after a preseason game incident.