Deion Sanders kept his cancer battle out of the spotlight, and it was well-thought-out. He had a very specific reason: he didn’t want his kids to worry. With their own challenges to face, Prime felt they didn’t need the added weight of watching their father fight for his health.
The news didn’t break until much later, and by then, Sanders had already undergone treatment and recovery. His decision wasn’t about pride or fear; it was about protection. He chose to carry the burden alone so his family could keep moving forward.
But while his mom didn’t know, someone else did. Someone close, trusted, and already in the loop.
Sanders’ tight inner circle knew what he was going through, but he made sure the circle stayed small. The way he handled it says a lot about who he is beyond his public persona.
Why Deion Kept Cancer a Secret From Mom
It wasn’t just his kids Deion Sanders was trying to protect; he also kept the truth from his mother. In a recent vlog post with Bucky, which was seemingly shot during his recovery process, Deion admitted that even Connie Knight, his mom, hadn’t been told about his cancer battle. “She didn’t know anything,” said Coach Prime.
Bucky, surprised, asked, “So, grandma still don’t just know everything?” Deion responded without hesitation, “No, definitely not. We can’t do that. My mama got her own stuff going on. She can’t worry about me.”
It was a rare, honest look into how Sanders handles pressure, not by asking for sympathy, but by quietly pushing through. He knows his mom has her own struggles, and the last thing he wanted was to add his health issues to her list of worries.
It’s clear that for Deion, protecting his family means shielding them not just from the public noise, but from personal pain too. Even when he’s the one going through it.
Who Knew First?
The first person Deion told about his cancer wasn’t family, it was his personal fitness trainer, Lauren Askevold. She had already been by his side during his earlier foot complications, and when the cancer diagnosis came, she was again the one in the room.
“Lauren was right there. Yeah. So, she was right there for the second time, like the process of the foot and this process. So, she was right there,” Deion shared.
It speaks to the trust he has in Lauren, not just as a trainer, but as part of his inner circle during his most vulnerable moments. When things got serious, she was the one he leaned on first. After talking to Lauren, he reached out to his sister, whom he affectionately calls “Barks.”
While most would turn to family first, Deion’s actions highlight how close his working relationships have become, and how he chooses his support system based on responsibility, not just blood.
Also Read: Lauren Askevold Reveals How Deion Sanders Hired Her And How She Got Accepted into the HBCU Culture
Very unselfish.Very sweet.But this is Deion’s Love and Character.For his family.Praise you JESUS.FULL BODY HEALING.