Deion Sanders entered his 16th surgery on Tuesday. Sanders is an experienced vet at this point regarding his many medical procedures. He entered the UC Health facility in good spirits. After reflecting on his 16th surgery with eldest son Bucky, Deion told a story about his experience with his bladder surgery. This included a story where the pain was so significant, he found himself on the floor in fetal position from the pain. A story he told in his cancer free press conference.
Donned in his hospital gown, assisted by partner Karreuche Tran, Deion looked to the camera to give a shout out to Lil Wayne and the chain he was gifted he claims he almost never takes off. To add levity to the situation, Deion would later look to Karreuche and predict water works any second. Possibly a nod to the video series about his cancer recovery when Karreuche was seen much more emotional than Sanders. As expected, facetimes and phone calls came from the sons who couldn’t be there in person to show their support began to come in.
Shedeur Sanders’ Facetime
As Deion is handed the phone, Shedeur mentions that he’s shooting a commercial and claimed, “for when you come out here”. Deion did not skip a beat in reminding Shedeur he told Deion not to visit him in Cleveland during training camp. It’s important to note that while Deion has been consistent and adamant that he never has ingested alcohol or any drug, he seems to enjoy what surgery day does for his altered state. In the Tuesday press conference when he confirmed he would have this surgery, he again reiterated, he doesn’t do drugs but will darn sure be at the hospital on time. While these calls were conducted, the intravenous drip had already begun to work.
Shedeur decided this moment, pre-op, was the best time to bring up a subject that he and Bucky had previously discussed. Shedeur, in good fun, changed his voice and delivery to suggest that all these recent surgeries seem to coincide with his time with Karreuche. With Karreuche in the room. Deion discounted that such a claim was true. Karreuche, was a good sport and gently pushed back with, “that is not true…”
Shilo Sanders’ call
Shilo’s call seemed to have comedically good Shilo timing coming on the heels of what appeared to be an important consult by a medial professional prior to surgery. Shilo started the call in typical Shilo fashion almost yelling in his best Deion Sanders voice, “You about to be like Snoop Dogg, dawg!” To which Deion hilariously responded in a similarly exaggerated impression voice, “yeah dawg, it's about to be that time…” Deion then claimed, laughing the entire time, “and if Snoop don’t got it, Pac got it, he’s sitting right here”. Deion mentioned that Pac Man Jones is really his oldest son. Then, humorously, Shilo illustrated why Deion says Shilo is the son that makes him pray at night.
"This needs to be the last surgery, Shilo said. "If you give me five million dollars, just to have, I will make sure you won’t have to have any more surgeries. I’ll make sure you have the best care (said while on speaker phone in the pre-op room of the 4th ranked hospital for adult specialties and 36th in the country for cancer surgeries). I may keep my two, but you send me five, I’ll make sure you’re alive."
Deion and Pac Man both enjoyed a nice hearty laugh over Shilo’s $5M ask. Deion joked, “I know what your care is coming from, and I don’t want nothing to do with your care”. After the two calls ended and Deion was ready for surgery, he and oldest son Bucky got to share what has become a tradition at this point. Tracking the anesthesia and pinpointing when it takes effect. A ‘loopy’ Deion is not common, but so far it has been a welcomed indicator that he’s about to get better, physically. As has been the case, Bucky is always close by for any surgeries.
As the medical team wheeled him out of the pre-op room, Deion’s speech had become affected by the anesthesia but had not dampened his spirit. Wheeled down the corridor holding Karreuche’s hand, he made his way to the surgery room, singing “Nights Like This” by The Five Heartbeats. Once at the point of no return (for family) Deion raised his left fist in the air and awaited Bucky’s hand, signally he is ready to get the procedure underway.
Coach Sanders was back in Boulder conducting practice the next day and confirmed he is a full go to coach the team from the sidelines on Saturday. Colorado welcomes #14 Iowa State to Folsom Field on Saturday. Game set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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