Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders led the Dallas Cowboys to their fifth Super Bowl title in the 1995-96 NFL season. Despite having played their last game together over 25 years ago, the bond between the two NFL greats remains stronger than ever.
Irvin paid a visit to the two-time Super Bowl champion after he missed the Colorado Buffaloes’ summer workouts due to unspecified health concerns.
Michael Irvin Shares Positive Update About Deion Sanders’ Health Concerns
Sanders, 57, has been recuperating at his estate in Canyon, Texas, while the Colorado Buffaloes kicked off summer workouts last week. According to USA Today, his health-related absence comes despite a contractual requirement to be present during these sessions.
Irvin met his former teammate last week and provided an update on Sanders’ health issues in a video on his YouTube channel “Michael Irvin.”
“I really wanna go see him once a week until I know he’s back on his feet. We had so much fun,” Irvin said. “Whenever I’m with him, we laugh. I don’t think there’s a person in the world who makes me laugh like Dion.” (2:54)
The five-time Pro Bowler said that his bishop told him to change the levels, change the frequency, make them laugh, and try to get them thinking about other things when somebody’s going through something.
Irvin said that Sanders’ voice was barely audible when he arrived there, but by the time he left, they had laughed so much that all the mucus had cleared out of Sanders’ chest. Being somebody who knows how physically, mentally, and emotionally strong Sanders is, the ex-NFL WR has never seen Sanders avoid a battle.
“I respect him as a giant… When I first got there, I wanted to grab him and hug him. I didn’t even do it. I just kind of stayed like, ‘Oh, you okay? I don’t want to break you if I touch you,’….. I hugged him on the way out. ” Irvin said.
“I just love that dude man…. Don’t ask me what’s wrong…. That is up for him and his family to share when they want to share, whatever they need to share. I guarantee you he’s gonna be ok, that’s the most important part.”
Sanders showed his appreciation by posting a video on Instagram with an emotional caption thanking Irvin: “Thank you for coming to see me yesterday and boosting my spirit. Y’all already know my brother Playmaker is a fool! But I love him 2 Life!”
Sanders first hinted at the health issue in May while on a podcast with former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel. Sanders responded to the well-wishes he was receiving, said he lost around 14 pounds, and described his ailment as “a whole ‘nother level.”
This isn’t the first time health has sidelined Sanders. In 2022, Sanders had two toes removed from his left foot due to a blood clot in the femoral artery. He later underwent more surgeries to address blood clots in his legs and missed Pac-12 media day. These recurring circulatory issues have raised ongoing concerns about his long-term well-being.
Publicly, Sanders was last seen at an NFL Draft party in April for his son, Shedeur Sanders, who unexpectedly slid to the fifth round.