Deion Sanders will not make his long-awaited Pac-12 media day debut on Friday.
The Colorado Buffaloes’ first-year head coach is scheduled to have a «routine follow-up» medical procedure related to blood clots in his legs on Thursday, the university announced.
Sanders will recuperate during the conference’s media day, with defensive coordinator Charles Kelly taking Sanders’ place at the event.
«Following the success of his latest procedure and on the advice of his physicians, Coach Prime is scheduled for a subsequent routine follow-up procedure on July 20,» a university spokesperson said in a statement.
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Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before their spring game at Folsom Field on April 22, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
«Unfortunately, his recovery will prevent him from attending Pac-12 media day, but he is expected to return to training in time for fall camp.»
Colorado confirmed that Sanders’ son Shedeur and star catcher Travis Hunter would attend the event in Las Vegas.
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«Everyone at CU wishes Coach a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on campus soon. Defensive Coordinator Charles Kelly will represent CU at Pac-12 media day events along with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.»
Shedeur and Hunter played with Deion at Jackson State last year. Shedeur is expected to take over the starting quarterback duties this upcoming season.
University of Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders slams the cheerleaders before the spring football game on April 22, 2023. (Michael Ciaglo for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
In a video posted to YouTube on Wednesday, Sanders announced that blood clots in his right leg would be treated in this latest procedure. Surgery last month removed the clots in his left leg. He said Thursday’s procedure would also straighten the remaining toes on his left foot.
«I want you to hear it from the horse. I don’t like rumors and he says and she says. And they said, okay, that’s what I said. Is that okay? I apologize for not being at the Pac-12 media day to have another surgery tomorrow,» Sanders said in the video.
“They already took care of themselves and got them off this leg,” Sanders said later in the video. «Now, we have to get them out of there.»
Sanders previously mentioned that a procedure on his right leg would happen «soon.» The NFL legend also noted that surgery would have to be performed to remove the blood clots before doctors could straighten his toes.
Deion Sanders before the CFP National Championship game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Georgia Bulldogs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on January 9, 2023. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
Sanders faced blood flow problems over the years. When he was coaching at Jackson State, he missed three games due to amputating two toes on his left foot.
During the 2021 Tigers football season, Sanders would often use crutches or ride a scooter on the sidelines.
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The Sanders era in Colorado officially begins on September 2, when the Buffaloes travel to Forth Worth, Texas, to take on TCU. The Horned Frogs defeated Michigan in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal game before losing to the Georgia Bulldogs in the national championship.