ASSIGNMENT 3 - FINAL PROJECT

Colorado Dominated by Arizona: Is Coach Prime’s Future at Colorado In Doubt?

BOULDER, Colo. — Deion Sanders watches on the sidelines as his team suffers an excruciating 52-17 loss to Arizona. In the last two games, the Buffaloes were outscored 105-24 by their opponents. As they continue to navigate a difficult season, Sanders’ future in the team seems to be in doubt.

After their loss to Arizona, Colorado’s record on the season dropped to 3-6. The team’s chances of winning the Big 12 Conference — or even making a bowl game — have dimmed considerably. Amidst this disappointing season for the football program, Head Coach Deion Sanders has been dealing with several health issues, which include circulatory problems in his legs and a recent bladder-removal surgery, due to a cancer diagnosis.

“My health is wonderful. I'm good,” Sanders told the Associated Press on Oct. 27. However, his recent medical history seems to tell a different story. This year alone, Sanders underwent surgery for an aggressive form of bladder cancer and a midseason procedure to help alleviate blood clots in his leg. 

Sanders announced his cancer diagnosis and treatment in a press conference in July. Dr. Janet Kukreja, director of urological oncology at University of Colorado Cancer Center, declared Sanders “cured of cancer.” The diagnosis followed a routine check-up for his ongoing blood clotting issues — problems that have affected him for years and worsened during the 2025 season.

“I think I got more blood clots. It don’t make sense. I’m hurting like crazy. I got a doctor’s appointment on Monday to see what time it is. So that’s what’s going on. I’m not getting blood to my leg, that’s why my leg is throbbing,” Sanders said after Colorado’s loss against TCU on Oct. 8. During the game, the coach was seen on the sidelines without his left shoe on, due to pain caused by the clots.

The head coach’s blood clotting issues stem from his playing days. In 1998, Sanders suffered a turf toe injury — though he underwent surgery to repair his ligaments at the time, he’s suffered from clotting ever since. “Because of the chronic injury, it can damage the venous system,” Julia Wrona, a physician assistant certified from Reno, Nevada, explains. “And then you can have post-thrombotic syndrome, which causes swelling, pain, etc.”

In 2022, Sanders suffered from compartment syndrome on his foot, which ultimately led to the amputation of two of his toes. Even after that, clotting issues are still a concern for the head coach in 2025.