Sept. 10, 1999
Just two days before the start of a 1999 season that was supposed to
feature Barry Sanders' pursuit of the league rushing record, two sources
close to the retired All-Pro running back told SportsLine that he might
return to the NFL "under the right circumstances." But the circumstances,
both sources insisted late Friday night, do not include a comeback with the
Detroit Lions.
By Len Pasquarelli
SportsLine Senior Writer
"If we went to him and said, 'OK, Barry, a new city, a new coach, a new
system, so what do you think?' I feel like he would seriously consider it,"
one source said. "I'm pretty sure that would appeal to him. There is no
way, though, he's ever going back to (Detroit). Just no way. They burned
the bridge and now there are threats of litigation to recover part of the
signing bonus, so forget it. The bridge isn't just burned. That thing is
detonated now."
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Sanders retired on July 27 and, more than six weeks later, still has never publicly discussed the decision to walk away from the game only 1,458 yards shy of breaking Walter Payton's career rushing mark. There has been rumor and innuendo surrounding Sanders' rationale, some of it from members of his own family, but he has remained mum on the subject.
Lions officials have been adamant that they will not trade Sanders, who has four seasons remaining on the six-year contract extension he signed in 1997. The team is seeking repayment of the prorated portion of the $11 million signing bonus he received in '97, and likely will file a grievance with the Management Council sometime next week should Sanders and his representatives continue to balk at that demand.
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| Barry Sanders is only 1,458 yards shy of the NFL career record.(AP) |
Club sources have said the Lions won't consider trading Sanders even if he agrees to the repayment.
Earlier on Friday, agent David Ware told SportsLine there "is nothing going on at all" with Sanders. "It's just status quo," Ware said.
One source, a current player in the league, said his "read" on Sanders, from conversations with the running back, is that he "only considers himself retired from the Lions." Added the player: "He's never said that he misses the game, but we'll see how he feels after Sunday, when things are for real and he's at home. I think under the right circumstances he would come back, but it couldn't be to the Lions at this point."