"It's like a life sentence": Deion Sanders recalls painful memories of his cancer diagnosis

Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders has recalled how he felt after being diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this year.

Sanders underwent surgery on a very high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer in May and is now cancer-free.

In a video posted by Well Off Media on Monday, Sanders discussed his illness with his son Deion Jr. The Buffaloes coach said getting cancer is almost like being given a life sentence.

"It's almost like when you hear that word [cancer], it's like a life sentence," he said (3:15 mark). "You really try to take things in perspective and try your best to say, 'OK Lord, I know you've got me,' but then, 'Do I have everything in place just in case?

"Do I have everything in order and am I living life like I'm supposed to live it?' I'm not talking about materialistic things, I'm talking about reaching people and touching and motivating people at the highest level."

Once Sanders was diagnosed with cancer, he had two options. The first was a minor surgery that didn't remove the bladder but meant he had to do weekly doctor visits. The other option was surgery that removed the bladder, which Coach Prime ultimately chose.

Deion Sanders will return to coach Colorado

After beating cancer, Deion Sanders will be returning to the sidelines to coach Colorado this season.

Sanders said he always knew he would be back, even after the initial diagnosis.

"It was never in my spirit, in my heart, that God wouldn't allow me to coach again," Sanders said, via AP. "I just didn't want to be running down to the hospital once a week when I have all of this on my plate. I don't want that. I was like, `OK, can they bring one of those machines and put them in the office?"'

Colorado athletic director Rick George always had faith that Deion Sanders would be back on the sidelines after he first talked to him.

Colorado will open its college football season on Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech.