Deion Sanders, the high-profile coach who turned the Colorado Buffaloes into a national storyline, told reporters this week that he is in significant pain and believes he may have developed new blood clots. “I’m hurting like crazy,” Sanders said, according to The Associated Press, adding that he felt symptoms consistent with clotting after previously being treated for the condition.

Sanders’s blunt description prompted immediate attention from fans, media and sports administrators because blood clots can quickly become life-threatening if they travel to the lungs as pulmonary emboli. The coach’s comments also prompted questions about how the Buffaloes will manage his duties if he requires medical intervention or a period of rest. Colorado’s athletic department has not released a detailed public statement about Sanders’s condition beyond acknowledging that he is being evaluated by medical staff.

The news landed at a sensitive time for the program. Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television personality, has used his celebrity and recruiting prowess to accelerate Colorado’s profile nationally. His visibility — and the distinctive, outspoken style he has brought to college football — means that any health-related absence would be felt not only on the sideline but in recruiting, fundraising and media coverage.

Medical experts caution that clotting disorders require swift, evidence-based care. Hematologists say patients with suspected clots typically undergo imaging such as ultrasound or CT pulmonary angiography and often receive anticoagulant therapy to reduce the risk of a clot traveling to the lung. “When a high-profile patient reports new clotting symptoms, the priority is rapid diagnosis and tailored treatment to stabilize the condition and prevent complications,” said Dr. Maria Levin, a hematologist unaffiliated with the team. She emphasized that individual treatment depends on clot location, the patient’s medical history and the presence of other risk factors.

Sanders’s own history with clots and his description of intensified pain have put the medical spotlight on a coach known for his larger-than-life persona. Players and staff have expressed concern on social media and in interviews, reflecting the personal bonds Sanders has built quickly. For the university, the situation underscores the operational challenges that follow when a coach’s personal health intersects with institutional responsibilities. Athletic departments typically have contingency plans for in-game coaching coverage, but extended absences can complicate game preparation and long-term program strategy.

Beyond the immediate medical and logistical questions, Sanders’s disclosure highlights broader conversations about coach health and transparency in a sport where demands are high and the public profile of leaders is intense. Fans and alumni have signaled support, while opponents and conference officials are watching how Colorado balances competitive needs with medical prudence.

For now, the most urgent matter is clinical: Sanders has said he will pursue further evaluation, and medical teams will determine whether imaging and treatment are needed. The outcome will shape not only his personal prognosis but also the near-term trajectory of a Colorado program that, under Sanders, has become one of college football’s most closely followed stories.