Deion Sanders Faces Health Challenges, Cancellations Follow

Deion Sanders, head coach of the University of Colorado football team, is currently grappling with an unspecified illness that has forced him to step back from his coaching duties and other professional commitments.

At 57 years old, Sanders is reportedly recuperating at his home in Texas. This health issue arises as the university's summer camps commence in Boulder, where he had previously participated in both 2023 and 2024.

His role in these camps is a stipulated responsibility within his employment contract with the University of Colorado.

As he prepares for his third season at the helm of the football program, Sanders has also had to cancel a speaking engagement at the Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium scheduled for June 8 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The organization announced via social media on June 5 that due to an unavoidable last-minute scheduling conflict, Sanders would not be able to attend. They expressed gratitude for his support and hope for future collaboration.

In a recent YouTube livestream, Deion Jr., one of Sanders' five children, provided a brief update on his father's condition. He mentioned, “He’ll tell y’all soon enough what he going through, what he went through,” while reassuring viewers that his father was “feeling well.”

Deion Jr. indicated that he plans to remain with his father until he returns to Boulder, stating, “I’m waiting until my dad leaves. When he leaves, then I’ll go.”

Sanders shares Deion Jr. and daughter Deiondra, 33, with his first wife, Carolyn Chambers. His second marriage to Pilar Biggars-Sanders produced sons Shilo, 25, and Shedeur, 23, along with daughter Shelomi, 21.

This upcoming college football season marks the first for Sanders without Shedeur at quarterback since 2020. The father-son duo previously played together at Jackson State before transitioning to Colorado for the 2023 season.

Shedeur was selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns during April’s NFL Draft, a notable drop from earlier predictions that had him going in the first round.

Addressing his son's draft experience last month, Deion remarked on the “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast that this setback could fuel Shedeur’s drive in the NFL. “It did hurt,” he acknowledged. “But the Bible says God uses the foolish things to confound the wise. There was some foolish stuff that went on, but that gave them something that they needed.”