FRISCO, Texas − Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is finally back, looking svelte in a gray suit and acting just as flamboyant as ever.
He returned to the spotlight for the first time since April, but declined to reveal the health issue that kept him away.
“God is good,” Sanders said after taking the main stage here Wednesday, July 9 at the annual Big 12 Conference preseason media days event at The Star north of Dallas.
He was accompanied to the event by longtime friend Michael Irvin, the former Dallas Cowboys receiver. Sanders deflected when asked about his health.
“I’m not here to talk about my health,” Sanders said. “I’m here to talk about my team.”
He said fellow Big 12 coaches had been checking in on him and praised them but said he wanted to beat all of them. He also made a plea of sorts. He wants to add some coaches to his staff: former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich and former NFL head coach Mike Zimmer. But he indicated they haven’t been hired yet. Sanders said he’s “praying” they are hired and added to his staff.
He also expressed gratitude in general.
‘First of all, I trust God with all my mind, all my soul and with everything I have, ‘Sanders said. ‘I never waver. I never say, `Why me?’ regardless of what’s ahead of me or what I see. Like Lord, just use me. If you could use anything, you could use me. So I’m truly thankful. I’m truly a go-getter. I want to win at all costs. I want to win the right way. I want to set the right standards, and I want to prepare these young men for life, not just football.’
What happened with Deion Sanders this summer?
Sanders, 57, has been away from his day job since April as he tried to recuperate at his estate in Canton, Texas, about 80 miles away from where Big 12 media days are being held this week north of Dallas. He didn’t miss much on campus, since it’s usually a low-key time of year for college football coaches. But he did miss CU’s annual youth and high school football camps in June, even though operating such camps is listed as one of the official duties in his employment contract. He also cancelled a public speaking appearance in Florida June 8 and was unable to attend the wedding of his former player, Travis Hunter, on May 24.
He instead made occasional appearances on social media but never revealed the specific nature of his health issue, instead saying he was OK and would provide an update at a later date.
Asked what an average day on his ranch in Texas looked like, Sanders responded, ‘Average day, I’m looking good. I’m living lovely. God has truly blessed me. Not a care in the world, not a want or desire in the world.’
He has a history of blood clots in his legs, which previously led to the amputation of two of his toes. In 2023, he also canceled his appearance at a Pac-12 Conference preseason media event because of another blood-clot surgery. But it’s not clear if that’s related to his recent health situation.
Unlike other Big 12 coaches, Sanders left the event Wednesday without attending another group interview that was scheduled for him in the afternoon.
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What did Deion Sanders say about his team this year?
This time he dealt with health concerns without his two youngest sons at his side – quarterback Shedeur and safety Shilo. His eldest son Deion Jr. stayed with him, but the other two brothers are now pursuing NFL careers in Cleveland and Tampa after playing for him the previous two seasons at Colorado.
What kind of coach will Sanders be without those sons and Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner last year?
That’s a big question this season in Year 3 under Sanders in Boulder.
“We want to win,” Sanders said. “We want to win at all costs.”
Two quarterbacks appear poised to replace Shedeur Sanders at quarterback: freshman Julian Lewis or Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. Both came with Sanders to the Big 12 event along with offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, defensive back DJ McKinney and kicker Alejandro Mata.
Sanders told a story about how Seaton called him recently to ask about where to get his hair braided in the Dallas area.
‘The moral of the story is I’m happy that my players can call me about getting their hair braided,’ Sanders said.
Colorado opens the season at home against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29. The Buffaloes finished 9-4 last year after posting a 4-8 record in Sanders’ first season in Boulder in 2023.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com