Deion Sanders reveals another procedure for blood clots at Colorado spring game

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders recently went to the hospital for another procedure to treat recurring issues with blood clots but said he’s “good” now and planning on sticking around Boulder this summer, unlike last year when he was recovering from bladder cancer.

Sanders said his recent procedure happened about three weeks ago and caused him to be away from the team for two or three days. He didn’t reveal it publicly until after his team finished its spring practice season with an intrasquad game Saturday, April 11 at Folsom Field in Boulder.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys,” Sanders said at a news conference afterward.

Sanders, 58, underwent surgery for blood clots in his lower body in October and before the season in 2023. Last May, he also had his bladder removed after the discovery of cancer, keeping him away from Boulder from May to late July while he recovered at his estate in Texas. His absence prevented him from meeting some new players until the start of preseason practice.

FAMILY TIES: Deion Sanders' youngest child transfers to Division II hoops program in Colorado

Now he’s added some weight back after losing 14 pounds. He also promised to make his team better after a 3-9 season in 2025.

“Everybody inside these doors could tell you it’s different when I’m here,” Sanders said Saturday. “I’m gonna go fishing, believe that. … I’m gonna take my breaks like every other coach. But I love to be here anyway.”

His youngest daughter also has returned to Colorado to play basketball at Colorado State University Pueblo. They planned to have dinner Saturday evening after the spring game.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.

2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.

2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.

2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.

2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.

2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.

Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders enters the field with his team before the start of the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 4, 2022.

2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.

2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.

Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.

Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.

2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders reports the action from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.

Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.

Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.

Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.

The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.

Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders covers San Diego Chargers receiver Shawn Jefferson during Super Bowl XXIX at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers, 49-26.

On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.

The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.

1991: Deion Sanders attempts a steal against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fulton County Stadium. Sanders spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-94.

1990: Pro Football Hall of Famers duel at Milwaukee County Stadium as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders covers Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe.

The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys, 21-17, on Sept. 17, 1989.

Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Deion Sanders in action for Florida State during the 1987 season.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and his father Deion Sanders on the sideline before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 28, 2025. Shedeur Sanders made seven starts during his rookie season with the Browns, going 3-4 in those games.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2024: Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter after the wide receiver/cornerback won the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2024: Shilo Sanders (21), Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and social media producer Deion Sanders Jr. following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Folsom Field.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2023: Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and celebrity guest picker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson exchange pleasantries on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the Buffaloes game against Colorado State at Folsom Field on Boulder, Colorado.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2023: Colorado coach Deion Sanders in attendance before the national championship game.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2022: Deion Sanders is introduced as the head coach of the University of Colorado.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2022: Deion Sanders during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders went 27-6 in three seasons leading Jackson State.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Jackson State Tigers head coach Deion Sanders enters the field with his team before the start of the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 4, 2022.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2021: Deion Sanders coaches during the Celebration Bowl. Sanders required a scooter following blood clot issues that ultimately led to the amputation of some toes.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2017: Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network, interviews New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Melissa Stark (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Kurt Warner (right) smile during an NFL Network broadcast at the Super Bowl XLIX NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center on Jan. 26, 2015.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Rich Eisen (left), Deion Sanders (center) and Michael Irvin on the NFL Network set before the "Thursday Night Football" game between the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on Dec. 5, 2013.

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Deion Sanders through the years

2013: Deion Sanders as "Leon Sandcastle" of Primetime University arrives on the red carpet prior to the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

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Deion Sanders through the years

NFL network broadcaster Deion Sanders interviews San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 29, 2013.

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Deion Sanders through the years

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders reports the action from the sidelines during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.

16 / 30

Deion Sanders through the years

Deion Sanders makes his return to football with the Baltimore Ravens after a three-year retirement in the 2004 season opener iat Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 12, 2004. The Browns beat the Ravens, 20-3, in the game.

17 / 30

Deion Sanders through the years

Deion Sanders and family celebrate Kids Day at the New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Hornets NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, on Nov. 29, 2003.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Washington's Deion Sanders jukes the Detroit Lions' Brock Olivo at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, on Sept. 10, 2000.

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Deion Sanders through the years

The Dallas Cowboys' Deion Sanders outdistances Indianapolis Colts defensive back Tito Wooten to score a touchdown at the RCA Dome on Oct. 31, 1999.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Deion Sanders at the plate for the Cincinnati Reds during the 1997 season. The Reds were among four different MLB teams that Sanders played for during a nine-season career.

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Deion Sanders through the years

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deion Sanders covers San Diego Chargers receiver Shawn Jefferson during Super Bowl XXIX at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Chargers, 49-26.

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Deion Sanders through the years

On Oct. 11, 1992, Deion Sanders played in a game against the Miami Dolphins, then flew to Pittsburgh for the Atlanta Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates (he did not appear in the game).

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Deion Sanders through the years

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders (21) on a kick return against the Green Bay Packers at Fulton County Stadium on Dec. 1, 1991.

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Deion Sanders through the years

The Atlanta Braves' Deion Sanders bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 7, 1991.

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Deion Sanders through the years

1991: Deion Sanders attempts a steal against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fulton County Stadium. Sanders spent four seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-94.

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Deion Sanders through the years

1990: Pro Football Hall of Famers duel at Milwaukee County Stadium as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders covers Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe.

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Deion Sanders through the years

The Atlanta Falcons' Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium on Sept. 17, 1989.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders in action against the Dallas Cowboys at Fulton County Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys, 21-17, on Sept. 17, 1989.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Deion Sanders was a two-time All-American, the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award winner and a 2011 College Football Hall of Fame inductee.

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Deion Sanders through the years

Deion Sanders in action for Florida State during the 1987 season.

What happened in Colorado’s spring game?

Sanders just concluded his fourth spring practice season in Boulder with the last of 15 practices. Unlike previous spring games played under wet and cold conditions, this one stayed dry, cloudy and mild at 72 degrees. Colorado’s live bison mascot Ralphie ran a loop around the field beforehand. Then came about an hour of scrimmaging and practice drills in which the Gold team beat the Black team, 7-6.

The only touchdown in the scrimmage came on a third-down play when quarterback Julian Lewis floated a pretty pass over the left shoulder of wide receiver Danny Scudero, who brought it down in the end zone for a 13-yard score. This will be a combination to watch in the fall. Scudero is one of 59 newcomers on the team after transferring from San Jose State, where he led the nation in receiving yards per game (108.1).

“He’s a pleasure and honor to coach,” Sanders said of Scudero. Sanders said Scudero reminds him of former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman. He even put Scudero in touch with him.

Scudero called it “surreal.” “A huge thank you to Coach Prime for that opportunity,” Scudero said.

Another good crowd at Folsom Field

Colorado said 27,772 free tickets were claimed for the game, which would make Colorado’s third-biggest spring crowd ever, all of which have come since Sanders arrival in December 2022. In Sanders’ first spring game in Boulder in 2023, the Buffs sold out Folsom Field at $10 per ticket (47,277).

This was the first spring game under Sanders at Colorado that was not televised on cable television, such as ESPN (2023) or ESPN2 (2025). This one instead was livestreamed on Colorado’s YouTube channel.

Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie runs onto Folsom Field before a spring football game in Boulder, Colorado on April 11, 2026.

Sanders wants to make spring games in the future more attractive to television companies and fans by playing against another team, which the NCAA right now does not allow.

“People get tired of the same ole same ole,” Sanders said.

He noted “winning also helps.”

“We’re gonna to make it better,” Sanders said. “We’re not (just) trying. We already have with the same as well as the players.”

New Colorado uniform patch honors Dominiq Ponder

Colorado players wore a small black “DP 7” patch under the left shoulder of their jerseys to honor the memory of Dominiq Ponder, the quarterback who died in a car accident March 1. Ponder wore jersey No. 22 previously at Colorado but earned the right to wear No. 7 this spring.

His death came the day before he was going to wear it for the first time when the Buffaloes opened spring practice March 2.

“We loved him and he’s a big loss to the team,” Colorado punter Damon Greaves said afterward. “But he’s still with us, and we do everything for him every day. And it’s great having him right here (on the patch)."

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado's Deion Sanders talks blood clots at spring football game