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Found this on BN, compliments of GenevaBuck:
Deion may go back to Ravens
Might also adopt North RB Devine
By CHRIS UMPIERRE
[email protected]
Published by
news-press.com on June 4, 2005 <!-- THIS IS A MACRO AND SHOULD RESIDE IN THE MACROS FOLDER --> <table class="BodyText" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="200"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center">
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</td></tr> </tbody> </table> <!-- STORY TEXT --><!-- article3.pbo --> <!--STORY TEXT--> An announcement on whether Deion Sanders will return for his 14th NFL season is imminent, Sanders said Friday in Fort Myers' City Hall.
"Three days," the seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback said. "You'll hear something in three days."
The 1985 North Fort Myers High School graduate was in town to announce his plan to improve neighborhoods and build affordable housing in the city.
He also came because he's considering adopting North Fort Myers High football star Noel Devine, who has had a troubled family life.
Sanders, 37, met with Devine and his grandmother, Bert Lee, on Friday night. Sanders wants to take the junior-to-be tailback to Dallas, where he resides. Devine said he'll decide on whether to go in the next month or so.
Sanders, who ended a three-year retirement and played with the Baltimore Ravens last season, hinted that he's only considering playing for the Ravens.
"You've never heard me speak of another team," he said. "So if you don't hear me speak of (another team), you shouldn't."
Sanders — who missed seven games last year due to foot, toe and hamstring ailments — said his health is "wonderful." He's fully recovered from left foot surgery in January and is training twice a day.
"I feel good. I feel damn good," Sanders said. "I would take off my shirt but (a female reporter) is here."
He said he isn't concerned about ruining his legacy by playing another season. Sanders is considered a future NFL Hall-of-Famer.
"When you start to be afraid in life, you'll never be successful," he said. "How can someone erase what's already written?"
Sanders ended his retirement last year because several Ravens, including linebacker Ray Lewis, urged him to return. After inking a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Sanders had eight tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown in nine games.
"It was one of the funnest years that I've ever had," he said. "I played with a plethora of guys who were like my brothers."
Sanders said he wants to adopt Devine, who rushed for a Southwest Florida-best 1,668 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, to help him through life.
"You've got to investigate (his background) and then you'll understand why he's in my heart," Sanders said.
Devine never knew his biological father and his mother died from an illness in 2000. He used to live with his grandmother but has been residing with friend Robert Harlow for the last three years, Devine's cousin LeDondrick Rowe said.
"(Sanders) wants to be there for me and get me away from all this negative stuff," Devine said. "He wants to show me the right way, to show me things I haven't seen yet."
Sanders said he's not attracted to Devine because of his football skills.
"I'm attracted to this kid because Steve DeShazo, a former (North Fort Myers High) principal, called me a couple years ago and wanted me to help this kid in life," Sanders said.
"Who is going to get this kid prepared to take the SATs, ACTs? I haven't heard that. I've just heard what this kid can do on the field, and I don't like to hear that because that means you care more about the talent than the child."
Devine said he'll talk to his grandmother some more and make a decision before the school year.
"I think it will be better for me," said Devine, who visited Sanders in Dallas a few months ago. "We have a father-son relationship. He already went through everything I went through."
North Fort Myers football coach James Iandoli said Friday he wants whatever is in Devine's best interest.
"Since I've been coaching football, a lot of my kids have been in unfortunate circumstances," Iandoli said. "Whatever can help them maximize their athletic and academic potential, I'm for it."
