Coach Deion Sanders' return to Colorado lifts team spirits after his battle with bladder cancer

Coach Prime's Return Reignites Colorado Football

Boulder, Colo. — The return of Coach Deion Sanders to the Colorado football program is more than just a welcome sight for players – it’s a breath of fresh air and a source of unwavering inspiration. His presence on the field once again lifts spirits following his recent battle with bladder cancer.

"Whatever hardship trials he goes through, he always makes it through," said defensive back Carter Stoutmire, echoing the sentiments of the entire team. "Seeing him back, just a breath of fresh air for the whole team."

Sanders stepped away from the program earlier this year to address his health. He revealed Monday that doctors had successfully removed his bladder to combat an aggressive form of cancer and reconstructed a section of his intestine to function as a new bladder.

"Honestly, just having Coach Prime’s presence back in the building is an amazing feeling,” said safety DJ McKinney. "I feel like everybody just has a chip on their shoulder."

That chip on the shoulder translates into a fierce determination to work harder than ever for their coach. For Stoutmire, the connection runs deeper – Sanders feels like family.

"I mean, it hit different for me, just because that’s like family to me,” Stoutmire shared. “That was like real, genuine concern."

Stoutmire's father, Omar, played alongside Sanders in the 1990s with the Dallas Cowboys, forging a lifelong bond between them. Carter Stoutmire himself was part of Sanders' inaugural high school recruiting class at Colorado, their relationship spanning decades.

"First time I met him? I don’t remember — he was in my birth room,” Carter Stoutmire recalled, highlighting the depth of their connection. "We’ve just got a whole lot of history, so it’s hard to remember the first genuine time I really met him.”

Sanders wasted no time picking up where he left off upon his return. Defensive Coordinator Robert Livingston revealed that Sanders' first priority during a recent meeting was inquiring about Livingston's family, specifically his son Luke who plays baseball.

“Prime’s talking about his stance and all these things, and he wants to know how that’s going,” Livingston recounted. “His leadership is one of one. He’s the Pied Piper — the world will follow him if they just listen to him."

Livingston's initial reaction upon hearing news of Sanders' health battle was simply fear – a sentiment shared by many.

"Scared, just like everybody,” Livingston admitted. “We’re talking about a life here. This football stuff, that doesn’t really matter at the end of the day."

Despite the challenging circumstances, Sanders' veteran staff – including Pat Shurmur, Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk – kept things running smoothly during his absence.

“The conversation was never had, like ‘if, then,’” Livingston said. “We knew he’d be here day one.”

The Buffaloes are coming off a successful 9-4 season and Alamo Bowl appearance, but face significant changes with quarterback Shedeur Sanders now playing for the Cleveland Browns and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"When you’re a phenomenal leader as Coach Prime is, you establish a culture, a situation where people just go to work," Livingston said. "And that’s what it was. It was a joy to see."

Sanders' message resonated far beyond the football field. He emphasized the importance of regular health checkups during his press conference, something that ultimately aided in his diagnosis and treatment.

“Too often in this profession, we worry about what happens inside these walls more than we worry about what happens outside in being a husband and being a father and taking care of yourself,” Livingston said. “It’s eye-opening for sure."

The Colorado Buffaloes open their season on August 29th against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field, with the energy and momentum generated by Coach Prime's return undoubtedly playing a significant role in their journey ahead.