Deion Sanders had two toes amputated on his left foot due to severe complications following a routine surgery in September 2021 to fix a dislocated toe and an inflamed nerve. After the surgery, his big left toe and second toe began turning black because of critical blood clots in a major leg artery, along with the development of compartment syndrome, a painful condition affecting circulation and muscle function in the leg. Despite undergoing a fasciotomy to relieve swelling and save his leg, the two toes developed gangrene and had to be amputated
. Sanders faced the difficult choice of amputation to avoid losing his entire leg and to continue coaching at Jackson State University. Doctors told him they could have saved the toes but it would have required him to stay hospitalized for two to three more weeks, causing him to miss additional games. Sanders chose amputation instead, saying, "Man, forget the toes. They were charcoal black. They were dead. You look down there and it’s two black toes. Take ‘em. What am I going to do with them?"
. Since then, Sanders has undergone multiple surgeries to address ongoing blood clot issues in his left leg and foot. He has struggled with poor circulation and pain but has avoided further amputation so far. In early 2024, he was able to run again for the first time since the surgeries, showing progress in his recovery
. In summary, Deion Sanders lost two toes due to blood clots and complications after surgery for a dislocated toe, and he chose amputation to preserve his leg and continue his coaching career.
