Deion Sanders, the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has continued to lead his team despite undergoing bladder cancer surgery, an ordeal that has drawn attention from both the sports and medical communities. Pro Football Hall of Famer Devin Hester, a close friend of Sanders, expressed no surprise at his decision to remain on the sidelines, highlighting Sanders’ deep passion for football and his dedication to mentoring young players.
Hester noted that Sanders is driven by his love for the game and his desire to groom young athletes into successful men. ‘He loves football and the process of developing young boys into men. That’s his passion,’ Hester remarked. Sanders, who recently revealed his cancer battle, has chosen to prioritize his coaching role, even as he continues to recover. Medical officials confirmed that Sanders is now in remission, following a successful surgery and treatment. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Sanders has also shared his thoughts on his health journey, revealing his decision to make a will amid his battle with cancer.
‘Mentally, emotionally, last night was tough, yesterday was tough, because I had to make a will. That’s not easy at all, to think that you may not be here,’ Sanders said in a video posted by his son. He expressed his readiness for another season with the Buffaloes, where he will have his son, Shedeur Sanders, and Heisman-winner Travis Hunter, both entering their rookie seasons in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Hester also participated in a service-oriented event with USAA, where he led a ‘Salute to Service Boot Camp’ for military personnel, showcasing his commitment to giving back to the community. The boot camps, which have been in place for years, now feature a live leaderboard to capture and monitor participants’ scores in real time. Hester said that this added competitiveness among those on the field, enhancing the experience for all involved.
‘It was very exciting, and it was a unique situation being among these guys and seeing them have fun,’ Hester said of the experience. ‘At the end of the day, they all had fun and competed, so it was a great cause for today.’ Hester also shared his connection to the service members, noting that he has several cousins in the military and that their stories mirrored those of his own family members, who were also football fans.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.