Sanders Says He Didn’t Promise He Wouldn’t Play Football, Too

Atlanta Brave outfielder Deion Sanders, stung by criticism of him by Brave officials, defended himself Monday.

Sanders, upset by the Braves’ claims that he broke a spoken agreement by playing for the Atlanta Falcons as well as for the Braves on Oct. 11, said he never promised he would play baseball exclusively during the postseason--only that it would be his “full-time job.”

“Nobody said that I couldn’t play football,” Sanders said. “We gave our word I’d play baseball full time, and that’s what I did.”

Sanders also said he is upset over what he considers to be a publicity campaign against him by John Schuerholz, general manager of the Braves, and that he will “never” forgive him for it.

“It hurts. I don’t like (Schuerholz) trying to damage my credibility,” Sanders said. “One thing I pride myself on is being real. If a man ain’t got his word, he ain’t got nothing.

“They used the press against me. I wasn’t talking to the press then because I don’t get along with them down here (in Atlanta). Why did he go to the media? Because he knew I wouldn’t retaliate.”

Schuerholz could not be reached for comment Monday night.