Deion Sanders, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said this Monday that he is cured of the cancer he suffered from thanks to having his bladder removed, where he had a tumor.

I'm recovered, I'm strong, and I'm ready; although I've probably lost about 25 pounds, I'm going to do it. I'm going to put on my work clothes and wear them like no one else. It's been a tremendous journey. I thank God for having been so good to me, said the current 57-year-old coach of the Colorado Buffaloes of college football at a press conference.

Deion Sanders was one of the best defensive backs in the history of the NFL, where he was a champion in Super Bowls XXIX with the San Francisco 49ers and XXX with the Dallas Cowboys.

Last year his health problems caused him to miss several days of work with the Buffaloes, and this summer he only attended press conferences, not practices. His situation, he said, was so desperate that he made his will last May. "Mentally and emotionally it was very difficult, I even had to make my will. It's not easy to think that maybe you won't be here anymore," he said. Since his retirement from the NFL in 2005, Sanders has remained a media figure. His aura enhanced the Buffaloes' football program, which increased its popularity nationally and internationally with his arrival as head coach.

This Monday, the coach appeared at a press conference accompanied by his medical team to announce his good health and send a message to men about the importance of undergoing constant bladder medical checkups.

"Men, get yourselves checked because if it weren't for that I wouldn't be here today; let's start by not being ashamed and facing it. I know we don't like going to the doctor, but it's important. He spoke to everyone, African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians," he stressed.

Deion Sanders had an extraordinary career in the NFL, where he was selected in the first round of the 1989 Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he remained until 1993.

His season with the 49ers in 1994 ended with his first championship ring, something he immediately increased with a second jewel in his time with the Cowboys between 1995 and 1999.

After a season with the Washington Redskins, he finished his career with the Baltimore Ravens, for whom he played between 2004 and 2005.

The versatility of the nine-time Pro Bowl and six-time All-Pro as an athlete led him to Major League Baseball where he played for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.

Now I deal with the catheter. I'm going to be transparent, I can't urinate like I used to. It's very different, I urinate five or six times a night like my little grandson, now I have that same problem," he concluded with a laugh.