Michael Irvin provided an update on Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ health during his battle with bladder cancer this past May.
The Hall of Fame receiver said Sanders is doing well and back where he needs to be.
“You know how Deion’s doing, Deion had a game he could’ve won the other night. He had that game and it was a big game. Health-wise he’s great. Health-wise he’s in the best place he could be, and that’s right back on the sideline with his guys,” Irvin said on the Dan Patrick Show Wednesday.
Irvin visited Sanders during his health scare and said the coach’s focus remained on his players throughout the ordeal.
“When I went to see him and he was really at his lowest, all he talked about to me — which was amazing — was ‘I haven’t seen my players.’ And I told him it reminded me of when my dad was very sick and he went to the doctor and all he was thinking about was his family. It tells you the power and how powerful that kind of man is. So, yeah, he was like that thinking only about his players when he was at his lowest, and now his players are probably feeling low, yeah you know how he feels right now. But health-wise, he’s healthy.”
The health update comes as Sanders faces ongoing criticism about his coaching approach at Colorado.
Critics have questioned whether Coach Prime puts his own interests first. They point to his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders, plus star player Travis Hunter, as evidence of favoritism.
Much of the criticism stems from Sanders’ roster overhaul when he arrived in Boulder. He cut many players from the 2022 team and several transfers he brought in during 2023.
Former backup quarterback Gavin Kuld was among the players who left the program.
An Athlon Sports report earlier this year made serious allegations about the team culture. The report claimed there were weapons in the locker room, fights, and initiation rituals.
That report has since been removed from the publication’s website.
Sanders continues coaching the Buffaloes without any legal issues arising from the allegations. The controversies haven’t damaged his standing with the university or resulted in any formal investigations.
Colorado is currently navigating its second season under Sanders’ leadership.
