Deion Sanders reveals gruesome details of foot surgery

Jackson State head coach and Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders spent the majority of the 2021 season wheeling around the Jackson State sidelines on a scooter following a foot procedure, and in the latest episode of Barstool Sports’ documentary series, “Coach Prime,” Sanders revealed some gruesome details on the procedure.

As it turns out, Sanders needed more than just a surgery to fix his foot ailment — he needed to get two toes amputated.

“That final procedure — the amputation of his big toe and his second toe, was very emotional,” Tracey Edmonds, Sanders’ partner, said in a teaser for the upcoming documentary episode.

The teaser includes a rather graphic, inside look of Sanders in a hospital bed under amnesia as the doctors amputate his two toes. Following the removal of his toes, Sanders looked down at his foot and couldn’t believe what he’d seen.

“Oh my God,” Sanders said, turning his gaze away from his foot. “That’s the first time I’ve ever looked at it.”

Sanders seemed to be tearing up in the hospital bed immediately after the procedure. In a separate interview well after the surgery, Sanders explained what made the amputation so difficult to deal with.

“The hardest thing of it all was to look down there and see that, and understand that once upon a time, you were this type of athlete. And this — you don’t even know if you’re going to walk because all you feel is pain. You want to get out of this hospital. You just want to get out.”

Further details of the ailment, procedure and amputation are not yet clear. However, in the documentary’s next episode — which airs on March 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET — Sanders will presumably take the audience through the story.

Deion Sanders discusses process, feeling on landing No. 1 recruit in the country

It’s no secret Deion Sanders is building an FCS empire in Jackson, Mississippi and even Travis Hunter, 2022’s No. 1 overall recruit, shocked the college football word when he flipped from Florida State to Jackson State on signing day.

“We did it man. My staff was wonderful. They did it. Travis [Hunter] is a kid — he’s on campus already doing his thing, and he wants it, man. That’s it,” the Jackson State head coach said on the Dan Le Batard Show Feb. 10. “That’s the kind of kid that wants to be, he’s not settling with being the No. 1 kid coming out. He wants to be that guy, and live up to those expectations.”

Only one thing could’ve drew Hunter away from Sanders and Jackson State.

“You got them cornerbacks out there on the block, on the corner to make sure nobody come down the street and drop a bag. Make sure no one drops a bag because that’s the only damn thing that’s going to get him away!” Sanders said with a laugh.

Flipping from Florida State to an FCS school like Jackson State was a bold move, and was one that was high risk, high reward in the budding era of name, image and likeness in collegiate athletics. Instead of heading toward the road most traveled, he will instead pave the way for future top recruits to go the FCS and HBCU route in the age of name, image and likeness. On top of Sanders recruiting pitch, Hunter also got to see the culture at Jackson State first hand at homecoming. Once Hunter saw that, it was a done deal, according to Sanders.

“Florida State has always been a beacon for me. I grew up down there, that’s where my roots are, and I never doubted that I would play for the Seminoles,” Hunter said on national signing day. “It’s a dream that is hard to let go of, but sometimes we are called to step into a bigger future than the one we imagined for ourselves. For me, the future is at Jackson State University. Jerry Rice, Doug Williams, and of course the legend, JSU’s own Walter Payton — Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football.

“I want to be part of that history, and more, I want to be part of that future. I am making this decision so that I can light the way for others to follow, make it a little easier for the next player to recognize that HBCUs may be everything you want and more: an exciting college experience, a vital community, and a life-changing place to play football,” Hunter said. “I look forward to working with the iconic Deion Sanders, and especially with my fellow Tigers. Along with Coach Prime, they have made me feel like I’m already part of the team. Like I’m home. And I can’t wait to welcome the next class of top athletes into the family of HBCUs.”

To say Hunter will be on the level of a Rice, or Payton by the time he leaves JSU is a bold statement, but with his level of talent and work ethic in a league like the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the numbers might be close when it’s Hunter’s turn to move on to the next level.

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this report.