Tiki Barber is not your normal former NFL player. He is not only the most prolific running back in the 95-year history of the New York Giants, he’s also a bit of a renaissance man delving into many arenas such as media and business.
Barber played of the Giants from 1997-2006 under Jim Fassel at first and then Tom Coughlin. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a first team All-Pro in 2005. He chose to cut his career short after 2005 season, going out on a high note, rushing for a franchise record 234 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Giants to a playoff berth in a 34-28 win against the Washington Redskins.
After the Giants lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL Playoffs, Barber decided to pack it in. That decision to retire at that juncture of his career cost him a Super Bowl ring and a possible berth in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In a recent interview, Tiki, now 45, reflected on his pro career, which did not begin the way it ended. He was a part-time player at first and only came into his own halfway through his career.
“It took me so long to figure it out. I was hurt early. I started as a rookie and got hurt my rookie season so I was a third down back and a punt returner trying to hang on,” Barber said. “This was until about four years in when Sean Payton came in and changed our offense. He put a lot of misdirection and catching the ball out of the backfield. You know, some things that fit my skill set. It didn’t happen until about four or five years in.
“So I didn’t start the journey to my peak until I was 25 or 26 years old. Whereas most guys are getting it right away. They get pounded from day one of their NFL career. I didn’t start taking poundings until like my sixth season. So if you look at it in that context, it was like four and a half or five years where I got the crap beat out of me and I was like I’m done. I can’t take this anymore.”
Barber was a Giant during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and can relate to the ordeal today’s players arguing through with the coronavirus. He says it will be difficult for the teams and players to start back up after this and does not see any other alternative but to play the games without fans.
“I hope that it is on time. Because if football is delayed unlike the other sports, where you can kind of smash them in,” Barber said. “Like baseball, you can truncate the season and it is not necessarily going to affect who is going to get to the playoffs and you can play double-headers. Basketball is done anyway. They are in the latter half of the season.
“If football gets delayed and they have to shorten the season or push it back, it really compromises the next season. I hope it gets done but I ultimately think that we will not get games with the fans until 2021. From a fan’s perspective, you have to think about what you would do. I think without a vaccination, it will be uncomfortable. I think the games are going to get played and I hope it is not delayed.”
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