Deion Sanders Back on Colorado Sideline After Health Battles
AMES, Iowa – Deion Sanders returned to the sideline for Colorado’s game against iowa State on saturday, marking his latest step in a challenging recovery from ongoing health issues.Sanders, who has faced multiple surgeries and complications in recent years, had been coaching from a seated position or elevated platforms in previous games due to pain and circulation problems.
Sanders’ return to a more traditional sideline presence comes after undergoing surgery on Oct. 7,his 16th since 2021,according to videos posted by his son,Deion Jr. The surgeries address vascular issues that have included arterial blood clots in his lower body and, previously, necessitated the amputation of two toes from his left foot in 2021 while coaching at Jackson State.He missed three games that year following the amputations.
During Colorado’s Oct. 4 game at TCU, Sanders was visibly in discomfort, sitting down and stating he was “hurting like crazy” and suspected a recurrence of blood clots. He also had his bladder removed in May after a cancerous tumor was discovered during a medical appointment related to his vascular issues.
Sanders previously coached Jackson State from a motorized wheelchair after surgeries in 2021.While uncommon, other coaches have also been forced to adjust their sideline presence due to health concerns. Penn State’s Joe Paterno coached from the press box late in his career, and in 2019, Liberty’s Hugh Freeze coached from a bed in the press box while recovering from a staph infection and back pain. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman also coached a game from the press box after breaking his hip.
Coaching from the press box or a stationary position presents challenges, separating the coach from players and hindering communication during critical moments. Remaining immobile on the sideline also limits a coach’s ability to effectively interact with players and officials throughout the game.
