From the sunny shores of Fort Myers, Florida, a voice known to millions for its calm demeanor and insightful commentary on his family’s journey, Deion Sanders Jr. – affectionately known as “Bucky” – just delivered a heartfelt and urgent message about his 57-year-old father, Deion Sanders, that has left the NFL world reeling and no fan truly ready to hear. The update, shared via a personal live stream and subsequently amplified across social media, revealed a deeper, more concerning layer to Coach Prime’s recent absence from the public eye, hinting at a health battle far more complex than previously understood.
For weeks, speculation has swirled around Deion Sanders. The charismatic and often boisterous head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes had notably scaled back his public appearances. He missed key team activities, including the highly anticipated summer football camps in Boulder – events he had personally attended in both 2023 and 2024. A scheduled keynote speech in Florida, a high-profile engagement for the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research, was also abruptly canceled, citing an “unavoidable last-minute scheduling change.” While Coach Prime himself had offered brief, reassuring messages on social media, proclaiming “everything is OKAY and will continue to be so,” the lack of specifics had only intensified the whispers and concerns among his dedicated fanbase.
It was Bucky, through his popular “Well Off Media” platform, who provided the most candid and unsettling update yet. Speaking directly to the camera from their family estate in Canton, Texas, where Deion Sr. has been recuperating, Bucky’s voice carried a palpable weight. He confirmed that his father was indeed grappling with an “unspecified health issue” that had forced him to take leave from his duties in Boulder.
“He’ll tell y’all soon enough what he going through, what he went through,” Bucky stated, his words measured but clear, acknowledging the gravity of the situation without divulging every detail. The most jarring revelation came when he addressed his father’s return to Boulder. “When we get back in Boulder, I don’t know. I’m waiting until my dad leaves. When he leaves, then I’ll go. Until then, I’m going to sit here with him.” This statement, confirming Bucky’s personal decision to remain by his father’s side, unable to return to his own work until Deion Sr. was well enough to travel, painted a stark picture of the seriousness of the illness. It indicated a level of care and presence needed that extended beyond what might be required for a minor ailment.
The urgency in Bucky’s voice, coupled with the revelation that his father had lost “about 14 pounds” – a detail Deion Sr. himself had briefly mentioned in a prior podcast appearance in late May 2025, describing his situation as “on another level” – sent a chill through anyone familiar with Coach Prime’s recent health history. Deion Sanders has famously battled severe blood clot issues in his legs over the past few years, leading to multiple surgeries, including the amputation of two toes on his left foot in 2021 and part of his left calf in 2022. He also missed the Pac-12 media day in 2023 due to ongoing blood clot complications, facing risks of further amputation at one point. These past struggles have left fans acutely aware of the fragility of his health and the potential for serious complications.
While the exact nature of this “unspecified health issue” remains undisclosed, the current concerns are reportedly linked to a blood circulation problem in his arteries, as opposed to his veins (which were the source of previous issues). This suggests a new or evolving challenge within his already compromised circulatory system. The presence of Colorado’s athletic trainer, Lauren Askevold, who has been by his side through previous complications, accompanying him in Texas, further underscores the need for constant medical oversight.
Despite the obvious concern, Bucky did offer glimmers of hope. In a more recent video, he shared footage of his father “back active, moving around,” even driving a boat and fishing with Travis Hunter, the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie and former Colorado star. “It’s a beautiful thing,” Bucky said in that footage. “Coach Prime back active, moving around. God is great. Not back active moving around, but it’s progress. It’s a beautiful thing, man.” This “progress” is what the NFL and college football communities are clinging to.
For NFL fans, the news is particularly jarring. Deion Sanders, “Prime Time,” is an icon. A two-sport superstar, Hall of Famer, and arguably the greatest cornerback to ever play the game, he transcended football with his swagger, talent, and undeniable charisma. His transition to coaching, particularly at Jackson State and then his high-profile move to Colorado, reignited his connection with a new generation of fans and reignited the Buffaloes program. His outsized personality and direct, often unfiltered, commentary are a constant source of entertainment and inspiration. To hear that such a vibrant, larger-than-life figure is battling a serious, undisclosed illness, confined to his home, away from the spotlight he so naturally commands, is deeply unsettling.
The situation has created an undeniable void within the Colorado Buffaloes program as they prepare for the 2025 season opener against Georgia Tech on August 29. While Coach Prime has assured fans that “everything is OKAY,” and his staff, including strength coach Andreu Swasey, is stepping up to lead in his absence, the human element of their leader being sidelined is undeniable. Swasey’s recent rallying cry to the team, emphasizing urgency and discipline in Coach Prime’s absence, underscores the gravity of the situation within the team itself.
As the days turn into weeks, the football world will be holding its breath. Every small update from Bucky, every social media post from Coach Prime, will be scrutinized for signs of improvement. The hope is that this “unspecified health issue” is a temporary setback, and that the beloved Coach Prime will soon be back on the sidelines in Boulder, his iconic whistle around his neck, his voice echoing across the field, driving his team to new heights. Until then, the heartfelt and urgent message from Fort Myers serves as a stark reminder of the human side of our heroes, and the fragility of even the most formidable figures. The best that NFL fans and indeed, all sports enthusiasts, can do now is send their thoughts and prayers, hoping for a full and speedy recovery for “Prime Time.”
