A new video posted by his son shows Colorado football coach Deion Sanders walking gingerly at his estate in Texas less than a week before he’s expected to make his first public appearance since April.
In the video posted by Deion Sanders Jr., Sanders Sr. received a visit from rapper Lil Wayne, one of several friends who have come to see him as he battles an unspecified health issue that has kept him out of the spotlight and away from his job in Boulder. The list of well-wishers has included former NFL players Michael Irvin and Adam “Pacman” Jones, as well as Colorado Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
“Deion’s doing good,” Jones said in an interview with BetOnline posted this week. “I think he got another week at home before they get started. He’ll be there. He’ll be ready to go.”
Sanders, 57, is scheduled to appear in Frisco, Texas on July 9 as part of the annual preseason Big 12 Conference media days. It will be his first appearance on the job since April before he retreated to Texas and missed several events this summer, including Colorado’s annual high school and youth football camps in June. He also canceled a speaking appearance in Florida on June 8 and wasn’t able to make it to Hunter’s wedding in Tennessee May 24.
Sanders previously said in an interview with former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel that he had lost 14 pounds and that “what I’m dealing with right now is at a whole ‘nother level.”
He has a history of blood clots in his legs, which previously led to the amputation of two of his toes. It’s unclear if that is related to his recent sabbatical. Sanders said he’d provide an update at a later date.
“Thanks to everybody that has been praying and sending good thoughts and prayers his way,” Jones said.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com