Deion Sanders explained why he kept his bladder cancer diagnosis a secret from his two young sons, Shilo and Shedeur.
“My sons, to this day, don’t know what transpired,” Deion, 57, said during a Monday, July 28 press conference at the University of Colorado. “I just told them it was something with my foot. I wanted them to focus on making the team and now focused on Dad. They really don’t know.”
Deion’s bladder cancer was discovered on April 14, just 10 days before the start of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Shedeur, 23, was ultimately selected in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns on April 26. After going undrafted, Shilo, 25, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.
Both Shedeur and Shilo played for Deion at Jackson State University before following him to Colorado, where he was named head coach in December 2022.
Deion said his three daughters and oldest son, Deion Jr., were aware of his cancer diagnosis.
The NFL Hall of Famer shares daughter Deiondra, 33, and son Deion Jr. with his first wife, Carolyn Chambers. He shares sons Shilo and Shedeur and daughter Shelomi, 21, with his second wife, Pilar Biggers-Sanders.
Deion and Pilar finalized their divorce in 2013.
“Much love to my son Junior, who has not left my side since we found out what was taking place,” Deion said Monday to his oldest son, who was in attendance at the press conference. “Not one day. He’s been with me here, he’s been with me in Texas, he’s been with me everywhere, everyday.”
Deion added, “I love you for life, son, and I thank you for everything you bring to the table.”
Shilo got a visit from his Dad at Buccaneers training camp last week, which the NFL hopeful showed off via Instagram.
In a podcast interview with his former Dallas Cowboys teammate Michael Irvin posted on Monday, Deion explained why Shedeur asked him to steer clear of Browns’ camp.
“Shedeur told me not to come,” Deion said. “Let’s get that out. He didn’t want me to come. He’s like, ‘Dad I may get three, four reps at practice. I don’t want you seeing that. Like, c’mon… I’m not where I need to be. Let me get where I need to be.’”
Deion underwent successful surgery to remove his bladder in May.
Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urological oncology at the University of Colorado, was by Sanders’ side for Monday’s press conference and said that Sanders was “cured.”
Deion has vowed to return to the sidelines when Colorado opens their 2025 season next month.
