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Sanders could return to NFL, not Lions

Associated Press

DETROIT -ŘIf Barry Sanders decides to return to the NFL, it won't be with the Detroit Lions, according to his agent.

David Ware said last night that Sanders hasn't indicated whether he would return, but said there is ''no way'' he would play for the Lions.

''I'd be hopeful, obviously, that in the right situation that he would consider it,'' Ware said. ''I've just tried to put together something he might consider. He doesn't like to deal in hypotheticals.''

Sanders, the No. 2 rusher on the NFL's career list who retired in July, has offered to repay $5.4 million of his signing bonus if the Lions release or trade him this season, Ware said. He said he made the offer to Detroit on Monday but that the team rejected it.

''We were little nonplused...because they know that he won't play for them,'' he said.

The 31-year-old Sanders ''definitely would return,'' if the Lions would accommodate him, a source close to the running back said yesterday.

But his father, William Sanders, said his son hasn't indicated whether he'll come back to football.

''I was hoping he'd never quit,'' he said. ''I don't know what he's going to do. ... I keep my fingers crossed.''

The Lions would not confirm whether Ware had contacted them on this matter.

''Our position remains the same - that we honored his retirement wishes and we expected the repayment of the prorated portion,'' Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said yesterday.

Detroit filed a grievance last week to recover $5.4 million of the $11 million signing bonus Sanders got when he signed a five-year contract in 1997.

Sanders, who needs only 1,458 yards to break Walter Payton's career rushing record, disagrees with Detroit's claim that he is required to repay a portion of the bonus if he doesn't play.

Sanders did not collect a $1.7 million deferred payment due this fall on the original bonus.

Ware said the issue could go either way with an arbitrator. He said he has spoken to Lions officials frequently since Sanders announced his retirement, asking he be released or traded if he repays the portion of the bonus.

''They've told us that if he plays again, he'll play for them or he won't play,'' Ware said.

William Sanders said he doesn't blame the Lions for taking the stand they have.

''I wouldn't release him either if I had a Barry Sanders on a contract,'' he said.