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Deion's not joining Oakland...

Some team(s) are obviously blocking him going to Oakland to give themselves a better shot in the playoffs.



Deion Sanders won't be joining Raiders

Associated Press

12/24/2002

NEW YORK (AP) - Deion Sanders will not become a member of the Oakland Raiders. Nor will he return to the NFL this season.

Several teams put in claims Tuesday for the former All-Pro cornerback, according to a source within the league who requested anonymity. As a result, Sanders can't fulfill his plan of returning to football with Oakland.

Nor can he play for the team that claimed him because he will have to be placed on its reserve-retired list, the same list he was on with Washington, which released him Monday.

The only way Sanders could have returned this season was to clear waivers and then sign with the team of his choice, presumably the Raiders.

The source did not identify the teams that claimed Sanders. Under league rules, teams make claims in order of their records.

The Raiders, at 10-5, are tied for 27th on the list. The source, without naming the teams, said all had records worse than Oakland's.

Sanders, 35, announced Sunday he was considering a comeback.

``I may come back to a playoff team,'' he said Sunday on CBS Sports' NFL Today, where he's a studio host. ``I've made contact, I have spoken to my attorney, we have spoken to the Oakland Raiders.''

A Raiders team spokesman had no new information on the situation with Sanders on Tuesday afternoon.

Sanders finished his career with 474 tackles, 385 of them solo, 48 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and eight touchdowns. He also was a standout kick returner.

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