By Mallory Mattingly
Former NFL superstar Deion Sanders knows about bringing his top game, but he had to take that mindset to a new level after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Earlier this year, the Colorado Buffaloes head coach stepped away from his team for a time to undergo treatment.
“This past spring, doctors discovered a tumor in Dion’s bladder during a routine CAT scan for his blood-clotting issues. And how did you feel when you walked in that day? Did you have any symptoms of anything?” GOOD MORNING AMERICA anchor Michael Strahan asked Sanders.
“Irritated, because you know, men, we don’t want to go to the doctor,” Sanders responded.
After “further testing confirmed that he had a high-risk type of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, an aggressive form of cancer with a 50% recurrence rate,” Sanders was faced with two options for treatment.
Related: Deion Sanders Beat Bladder Cancer: ‘Thank You Jesus’
He could endure chemotherapy for 36 weeks, or he could have his bladder removed. Sanders sought the Lord when faced with the decision.
“I prayed on it, and I’m aggressive, man. I ain’t waiting. I ain’t sitting back on the curb waiting. Just slowly but surely, you do whatever is gonna happen. No, let’s go right now. Let’s go get this thing,” Sanders said.
“Only a week and two days after being diagnosed. Sanders underwent bladder removal surgery. Dr. Zen rebuilt his bladder using part of his intestine,” Strahan explained.
Coach Prime wanted to be transparent about his journey because he hopes it encourages other men to open up about things they’re struggling with.
“I’m honest, man. And you know how many people are going through this foolishness? But men never talk about stuff like this. We hide it because we want to be big and strong and massive and not vulnerable. No, man, this is real. This is what I’m dealing with,” he shared.
“The Bible clearly depicts that in this world we’re gonna have tribulation,” he continued. “I choose to rise up, man, not to stay down. I choose to share. And I want everybody to understand you can make it, man. We all got somethin’ we fightin’. Who out there right now ain’t fighting somethin’? It may not be cancer, but it’s somethin’. But you can overcome it. We can do this.”
Sanders doesn’t shy away from sharing difficult truths, especially those found in the Bible.
“It’s your obligation to the world to be honest and tell the truth. The Bible says the truth shall make you free. There’s a multitude of us in bondage right now, not free from the pain of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow,” Sanders wrote on Instagram earlier this week.
Sanders also leaned on his close friend, Randy Moss, who also endured a recent cancer diagnosis. Moss and Sanders confided in one another, pushing each other to fight another day. Now, both are in remission and back on the field.
While many men struggle to share what they’re dealing with, Sanders’ story is a great reminder that with faith and community, it’s possible to overcome.
Read Next: Deion Sanders ‘Loving Life’ After Beating Bladder Cancer
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