One should never glory in someone’s failure and heartache. While former NFL running back Tiki Barber is a man of great accomplishment, within the past five years he has made some arrogant and questionable decisions. This past March 8, the former New York Giants’ all-time leading rusher filed his paperwork to come out of retirement for financial needs to return to the occupation that helped establish him as a household name.
Barber left the game of football to pursue a career in television because of the physical pounding his 5-10 frame was taking. The decision was great because the opportunities were there. However, after making critical comments about his former teammates and due to some troubling personal affairs (of his own doing), the 36-years old Barber is looking for a big paycheck from an NFL franchise to get his life, or rather his finances, back on track.
For retired professional athletes, returning to the game they love is nothing new or shocking. In the case of Barber, will his arrogance, his age or the reasons for the move hinder his successful return to the NFL?
“I’m on a f–king mission of redemption,” said Barber via text message to his agent, Mark Lepselter, according to ProFootballTalk.com.
Redemption? From football?
When the word “redemption” is used, thoughts of deliverance or payback come to mind.
Barber holds multiple team records for the Giants and is the best running back in franchise history. He holds the all-time rushing record at 10,449 yards. He is a three-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro and is one of ten backs in NFL history to have over 10,000 rushing yards and 400 catches.
So, redemption from football? No. Barber was so successful in the NFL that he was enshrined in the Giants’ Ring of Honor. This is an eternal accomplishment.
“Once you try and fail, it’s hard to keep trying,” said Barber during a sit-down interview with Armen Keteyian of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. “It really is. It got to the point where there were times where I would just sit in my office with nothing to do. I crafted this career, right? And I’d gotten to the point where I was right where I wanted to be, and then failed. It’s hard to deal with.”
Barber did not fail in football, so seeking redemption in football does not make sense. But being redeemed through football to get back on track is understandable. At the age of 36, being a successful ball carrier in NFL could be a long shot. His motivation and displayed arrogance may be his ultimate hindrance.
Barber’s comments that former teammate and Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan was “thinking about himself” when he signed his contract with the Giants in 2002, sparked how the returning running back may have been disliked in the locker room.
In his interview with the HBO investigative sports show, Barber talked about how people negatively judged him for leaving the NFL to pursue a new career wearing a suit and looking clean in front of the camera while he was at the top of his game.
Barber’s decision to retire was a great one as he saw the big picture of long-term success without continuously allowing his body to be battered. Barber stated during the interview that “they were trying to dictate what I should do with my life” and that he simply “didn’t want to do it (the work that made him a star) anymore.”
Barber joined NBC’s The Today Show and Football Night in America/Sunday Night Football to prove he could be critical as a NFL Analyst. While there, he made some harsh comments about former teammate Eli Manning and head coach Tom Coughlin (who revamped Barber’s career) and it rubbed some of his ex-teammates the wrong way.
Unfortunately, the decision to leave the game in 2007 cost Barber a Super Bowl ring, which the Giants earned the year following his retirement.
That decision also sparked a theme of choices that put Barber back into the gym with New Jersey strongman Joe Carini.
Leaving his wife Ginny while eight months pregnant with twins for a 23-year old blonde former intern for NBC, Traci Lynn Johnson, was another questionable choice of Barber’s. After being banned by his ex-wife from the delivery room during the birth of their twins, Barber’s marriage of 11 years came to a disappointing end. NBC later terminated his contract – which reportedly paid him over $300,000 annually – based on a moral clause in his agreement.
The New York Post reported Barber had struggled with paying his divorce settlement in June of 2010.
Barber’s arrogance allowed him to believe that he was untouchable. Ironically, Barber desires to be touched by defensive linemen again.
Can Barber get back on his feet? Without a doubt, yes. If given an opportunity in the right situation, can Barber be successful in the NFL? Absolutely. Honestly, does Barber even need football to be successful again? No, because he is intelligent. With the correct help, he could easily get back on his feet and save face as a media personality. Actually, Barber is using football as quick fix to deal with depression.
Clearly, Barber’s motivation to return to the NFL is not because he loves and misses the game. It is strictly for the money. Barber is not the only athlete who wants to play professionally for the great income. But the former Giants great is desperate to make big money and the question that would eventually surface in potential teammates’ minds is: “Will Barber only look out for himself? Will he fight for his team?”
Barber was tearful during his interview on HBO as he expressed sincere feelings about returning to football and his need to play. He agreed that football would be the “anchor” for him to be able to be successful again.
“The game never needs you because there’s always someone else to come and take your place,” said Barber. “But right now, I need the game.”
This is a story to watch out for, assuming a team will give him a chance.
Reportedly, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be landing spots for the returning running back and either squad would be a great destination. But, despite having the opportunity to play with his twin brother, Ronde, who signed a one-year extension with the Bucs, the Steelers would be a better fit. With Pittsburgh running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, Barber wouldn’t have to worry about carrying a full load as he gets fresh legs back into game shape. Also, the Steelers franchise would be Barber’s best chance at winning a ring.
The past five years for Barber have been a rollercoaster ride between having a bright career and no career. It has been loaded with emotions, all of it by his own hand. No one feels sorry for Barber, especially because of how he treated his wife. And when honored by the Giants by being inducted into the Ring of Honor, the fans booed him.
To Barber’s credit, he will be a fresh 36-year old back with no recent wear and tear on his body.
Hopefully, Barber will make an active roster and be an asset to a franchise. Though his passion for playing football may be gone, Barber’s will to succeed is strong. And to do something that is disliked to achieve a goal is not bad, either.
Is Barber arrogant for believing that he can still succeed in the NFL at the age of 36? Could be. But Barber is a broken man and if football can be his salvation, then for now, may he be blessed and perform on a high level.
Let us just hope his past decisions do not hinder him now.
The views and opinions of the author expressed in this article are not necessarily the views and opinions of The Sports Journey Broadcast Network, Nile Media LLC, unless otherwise noted.