Deion Sanders may need leg procedure before season’s start

Colorado coach Deion Sanders may need another procedure on his leg before he coaches his first game for the Buffaloes.

Thee Pregame Show, a YouTube channel that chronicles the program, posted much of the meeting Sanders and CU head athletic trainer Lauren Askevold had with Dr. Ken Hunt, who works in foot and ankle orthopedics at CU and vascular surgeons Donald Jacobs and Max Wohlauer. Wohlauer noted that Sanders’ circulation in his leg was just 66 percent of the blood pressure compared to the rest of his body.

Colorado did not immediately respond to a request for comment on any future procedures or if Sanders’ duties will be impacted by the health issue.

In October 2021, Sanders had his left big toe and second toe amputated after blood clots blocked blood flow to his foot. He was in the hospital for 23 days and missed three games coaching Jackson State during his stay as a result. He coached in an electric wheelchair when he returned.

Sanders, 55, noted in the video that he has no feeling in the bottom of his foot.

“I don’t plan on doing no more running in my life. It is what it is,” he said.

Sanders and his doctors discussed the risks of any future procedures or ongoing complications from his condition.

“He could lose the foot,” Jacobs said. “That’s a risk.”

Sanders emphasized in the meeting that he wanted to undergo any future procedures before the season began so he didn’t miss time during the season. He also said the position of his remaining toes, which he described as “dislocated,” causes pain and discomfort.

Tuesday, Sanders was scheduled to co-host a football camp at Morehouse College in Atlanta alongside Morehouse coach Gerard Wilcher but continued pain in his leg necessitated a meeting with medical staff in Colorado. Colorado assistant coaches Charles Kelly and Nick Williams appeared at the camp instead, as well as Buffaloes legend Kordell Stewart, who spoke to campers at the beginning of the camp and spent a week with the program before the spring game.

Sanders walks with a noticeable limp and was asked about his foot after Colorado’s sold-out spring game on ESPN in April.

“I like when you guys play like you care about my health and then I get the real questions,” Sanders said with a laugh. “No, I’m good. We’re trying to come up with something phenomenal inside of my shoe game and the shoes being built for me to make sure I can get through the fourth quarter. We have a good start. I just left the training room and getting taken care of. I’m OK, it’s not about me.”

(Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)