Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders revealed he is undergoing a medical procedure to address recurring blood clot issues, describing his condition as “hurting like crazy.” The 54-year-old coach shared the update during a recent news conference, emphasizing that his health struggles are hereditary and unrelated to his coaching workload.

Sanders admitted to experiencing severe pain during a 35-21 loss at TCU on Saturday, limping along the sideline with a throbbing leg and refusing to wear a shoe on his left foot in the second half. He reiterated his determination to return to practice, stating, “I don’t miss practice. I don’t plan on doing such.”

The coach’s medical challenges are not new. In 2021, while at Jackson State, he underwent surgery that resulted in the amputation of two toes on his left foot. He also skipped a Pac-12 media day session in 2023 after procedures to remove a blood clot from his right leg and correct issues with his left foot.

Currently, Sanders is undergoing an aspiration thrombectomy to address clots in his left popliteal and tibial arteries. The procedure comes as he continues to cope with the aftermath of losing two toes and part of his calf. He acknowledged his family’s history with blood clot complications, citing a deceased uncle, another relative who nearly died from the issue, and his mother’s own struggles.

While Sanders has not directly linked his health issues to any specific cause, social media users have speculated about potential ties to experimental COVID-19 vaccines. No official confirmation of such a connection has been provided.