2× Divorcee Deion Sanders Admits “Sacrifice” Is Part of Love
Deion Sanders — the Hall of Fame NFL great turned highly visible college football coach — is opening up about what love means to him after a highly public personal life that includes two divorces and a long‑term engagement that ended.
In a video posted on Instagram on January 16, 2026, the 58‑year‑old Colorado Buffaloes head coach spoke directly to his followers about his relationship philosophy. With romantic music in the background and a genuine smile, Coach Prime said that sacrifice and giving are essential parts of any real love. “For me, love is about sacrifice, and it’s about giving,” he said. “Because anything you love, you have to make a sacrifice and you’re going to have to give too. If you’re not doing either of those two things, baby, that ain’t love.”
A Look Back at Sanders’ Relationship History
Sanders’ personal life has often made headlines:
First Marriage: Deion’s first marriage was to Carolyn Chambers in 1989. The union lasted about nine years and produced two children, Deiondra and Deion Sanders Jr., before ending in divorce.
Second Marriage: In 1999, he married Pilar Sanders. This marriage lasted around 14 years and resulted in three children: Shilo, Shedeur, and Shelomi. Their divorce in 2013 was lengthy and contentious, with legal battles over conservatorship and child support.
Engagement to Tracey Edmonds: After his second divorce, Sanders began a long‑running relationship with TV producer Tracey Edmonds. The couple announced their engagement in 2019 after years together, but ultimately split up in 2023 (Edmonds has said it was her decision to end the relationship).
These experiences have shaped how Sanders views love today. In past comments he has even questioned whether marriage was the right choice for him or something he “probably shouldn’t have done,” although he has also emphasized his commitment as a father.
New Relationship and Renewed Outlook on Love
In recent years, Sanders has been romantically linked to actress Karrueche Tran, with their relationship becoming more visible during and after his battle with cancer in 2025. Videos and photos of Tran by his side during his health struggles sparked widespread speculation about their connection and appeared to show her emotional support.
Tran herself has acknowledged dating older men in interviews and praised Sanders for who he is, though she hasn’t clearly labeled their relationship publicly.
Family members have also noticed a difference in Sanders’ demeanor since this period — including his son Shilo commenting on how Sanders drove hours to spend holidays with Tran’s family, something he hadn’t always done in past relationships.
What This All Means
Sanders’ comments about love being tied to sacrifice come at a time when he seems to be embracing both a second chance at personal happiness and a more mature, reflective view of relationships. By connecting the idea of love to giving and sacrifice, he’s signaling that his experiences — both joyful and painful — have helped him redefine what love feels like and what it requires.