Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
Surgeons Built Prime Time a New Bladder
Colorado head coach and football legend Deion Sanders was dealing with an aggressive, cancerous tumor on his bladder during the offseason. He now has a new, non-cancerous one thanks to modern science.
From @TheAthletic: Deion Sanders, the Colorado coach, said his bladder was removed and hes now cancer free after finding an aggressive tumor. https://t.co/FSoPorUULv pic.twitter.com/7ou1PVER13
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 28, 2025
During a press conference last week, Sanders shared that the tumor was discovered during his annual physical and medical checkup. According to the American Cancer Society nearly 85,000 new cases of bladder cancer are expected in 2025 with about 70% occurring in men.
Surgeons removed and replaced Sanders' bladder via a procedure called neobladder reconstruction:
First surgeons remove the old bladder. Then they cut out about a foot and a half from the ileum, the end section of the small intestine. Then the surgeon cuts down one side of the segment of intestine so that it lays flat like a sheet.
Next, they fold it in half, top to bottom, and then connect the back part to the front. The end result resembles a volleyball covered in sutures, said Dr. Max Kates, codirector of the Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Finally, the surgeon sews the neobladder to the kidneys and urethra.
Sanders, 57, is now cancer-free. Don't skip your medical checkups.
The Las Vegas Raiders Cut Christian Wilkins
Buckeye fans...you remember this guy. Curtis Samuel definitely does.
From the 2016 CFP Semifinal, which some historians argue never actually took place.
A year ago, the Las Vegas Raiders lured then-free agent Wilkins away from the Miami Dolphins with a four-year, $110 million contract full of guarantees. He suffered a fractured left foot which limited him to just five games during the 2024 season.
On July 24, Wilkins filed a non-injury grievance, which marks the 50-day deadline (Sept 12) to challenge voiding $35.25 million in guarantees - $8 million for his 2025 base salary and $27.25 for next year's. This move, combined with Wilkins' history of, uh, well you remember that Fiesta Bowl - aroused suspicion to the root cause of fallout just a year after joining the franchise.
Then Adam Schefter went on Pat McAfee's show and shared that "a kissing incident" might have been the breaking point for the Raiders' relationship with Wilkins. Other theories began to take flight, as well as old game footage where the handsy defensive tackle gave other players - in this case below, 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen - the Curtis Samuel treatment:
— PEP (@pahrduve) January 9, 2024
The process still needs to play out, but if this is it for Wilkins and the Raiders, he will have made $49.7 million of his original contract for playing in five games. Good work if you can get it.
Rest in Peace, Ryno
Legendary Chicago Cubs 2nd baseman Ryne Sandberg passed away on Monday following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He is remembered for innumerable accomplishments on the diamond, but if you had to choose just one - the Sandberg Game, which took place in 1984 against archrival St. Louis.
Cardinals outfielder Willie McGee hit for the cycle that afternoon, but the Cubs came back from 7-1, 9-3 and 11-9 deficits that afternoon and ultimately won the game because Sandberg homered in the 9th and 10th innings.
Apr 4, 2025: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
What's often overlooked in his Hall of Fame career is the fact he didn't play 2nd base until he got to the Major Leagues. Sandberg had been a three-sport letter winner at North Central High School in Spokane, WA where he starred at quarterback.
The 1977 Parade All-American High School Football team had eight QBs named, including Sandberg, future Ohio State Buckeye Art Schlichter, Rod Pegues (Oklahoma), John Fourcade (Ole Miss), Scott Tinsley (Southern Cal), Tim White (Arizona State), Booger Brooks (Texas) and Ron Cuccia (Harvard). Only one of those guys didn't report to fall camp on campus.
Sandberg signed a letter of intent with Washington State University in Pullman but opted out after the Phillies drafted him in the 20th round in 1978. He made the All Star team 10 times, won nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards and was inducted into Cooperstown in 2005. Rest in Peace, Ryno.
ICYMI
Central Michigan Receives NOA from NCAA for its Role in the Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal with Connor Stalions
The investigation officially began on Oct. 31, 2023, the same day images surfaced of a man resembling former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions on Central Michigan's sideline for the Chippewas’ season opener against Michigan State.
Jeremiah Smith Always Wants to Win
“I'm a sore loser, so I know I took it the wrong way,” Smith said at Big Ten Media Days on July 22. “I don't like losing. I like to win at any and everything that I do.”
Eight Players were named Iron Buckeyes this Summer
Austin Siereveld, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Lincoln Kienholz, Payton Pierce, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith and Jaylen McClain exhibited “unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership" to earn the title.
What's Next
- 27 Days: Ohio State football season-opener vs. Texas
- 90 Days: Jim Knowles returns to Columbus
- 118 Days: The Game
