Deion Sanders has revealed that he had his bladder removed after doctors discovered a cancerous tumor. The shocking news came as part of his ongoing health battles since April of this year.
In this latest chapter, Deion didn’t shy away from sharing the emotional and physical toll of his fight, using the moment to push an important message: the need for regular checkups and early detection.
In response, Shannon Sharpe, who’s had a similar experience (a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2016), has come forward to publicly wish Deion well. Meanwhile, he’s supporting Deion’s transparency and strength as Coach Prime continues to encourage others to take their health seriously.
Shannon Sharpe Opens Up About Beating Cancer
Shannon Sharpe knows firsthand the importance of early testing. After learning that Deion Sanders had his bladder removed due to cancer, Shannon shared his own experience battling prostate cancer.
“My father died of cancer. You know his brothers; he had two other brothers that died of cancer. So I’m in the high percentile,” he explained. “So I didn’t wait till the age they said we start getting tested at age 40. Nah, I started getting tested at 33, 34.”
That decision likely saved his life. Due to early testing, doctors were able to catch the cancer in time.
“They were able to detect it, end up getting a colonoscopy and finding out that I had it, and I got it treated and diagnosed in 2016, got treated in 2017, and I’ve been cancer-free ever since,” he said.
Like Deion, Sharpe is using his story to promote awareness. He addressed how people often tend to stay away from visiting a healthcare professional and tend to use home remedies, but he suggests getting checked up once in a while is a must.
“Growing up, we didn’t have health care. So unless there was an absolute medical emergency, you fall dead on the floor or something like that, you weren’t going to no doctor.”
Citing Coach Prime as an example, Shannon suggests everyone should follow suit and get checked as a proactive measure. “Don’t wait until it’s too late and then it’s stage three, stage four, there’s really nothing else. Now all they can do is just make you comfortable. Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor.”
Shannon Salutes Deion For Battling Cancer Like a Champ
Shannon Sharpe didn’t hold back his support after hearing about Deion Sanders’ battle with cancer. In a heartfelt message on Nightcap, Shannon expressed relief that Deion’s condition was discovered early. “I’m just glad they caught this in time,” he said, recognizing how critical timing can be in beating cancer.
Shannon then extended not only his personal well wishes but also those of the entire Nightcap crew. “I’m glad Coach Prime, everybody here at Nightcap is sending our thoughts and prayers to you, and glad you’re feeling better, bro,” Shannon said.
And to show just how seriously he stands behind Deion, Shannon echoed the importance of Coach Prime’s message on health awareness.
“Guys, go get it, go get it done… go get tested cuz I’m a prostate cancer survivor and prostate cancer is one of the more curable if detected early.”
It’s the same message Deion stressed when revealing his cancer journey: getting checked saved his life. Doctors found the tumor early and moved fast, leading to his recovery.
With both men sharing their experiences publicly, the urgency around early detection is louder than ever, and it’s a message worth taking seriously.