View Full Version : Tiki Barber may retire after season
BroncoManCanuck
10-18-2006, 09:53 AM
Don't know if it has been posted
Giants | Barber may retire after season
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:25:50 -0700
John Branch, of the New York Times, reports New York Giants RB Tiki Barber could be playing his final NFL season this year. "He's seriously leaning toward it," Barber's agent, Mark Lepselter said of retirement. "I think he feels he's perfected his craft, in a way, and is ready for something else." Barber added that he has "pretty much" made up his mind to retire and that "nothing" would force him to reconsider. "For the longest time, I thought I had to win a Super Bowl to define my career," Barber said. "I would like to, but I don't have to, because I can walk away knowing I did the best I could."
http://www.kffl.com/player/1297/NFL
Barber is only 31 years old and in his 10th season
TheSportsGuru
10-18-2006, 09:57 AM
Wouldn't surprise me in the least. He's already on TV and radio all over the place, and like Robert Smith is on a team that probably won't get to a Super Bowl anytime soon....
Why play a year too long when you have great offers to retire a year early?
ludo21
10-18-2006, 10:03 AM
You only get so long to play in the NFL, take advantage of it would be my advice.
Kaylore
10-18-2006, 10:07 AM
That would suck. He's only been in the league ten years and just started hitting his stride a few years ago. I wonder if Coughlin's practices have removed the joy from the game.
I don't think I could ever fault a RB, OL, or DL for hanging it up early. Football is a demanding sport to play professionally for anyone, but for those guys its exceptionally rough on the body. Getting hit 15-20 times a game with the full force of an oppsosing player is not a good idea for long term health, neither is maintaining a 300+ pound body weight that you continually drive into opposing players of near equal size. I've seen a few retired NFL RBs in their later years, it makes being a punch drunk boxer almost look appealing in comparision.
-Slap-
10-18-2006, 10:30 AM
Good for Tiki.
Get out while you're still relatively healthy and able to enjoy the rest of your life without chronic pain. If he's at peace with the decision, I'm certainly not about to gainsay him.
Tredici
10-18-2006, 10:37 AM
Tiki and Rhonde Barber seem like terrific people. They have recently collaborated on some children's books. I think the latest being released for the Holiday season is called Teammates. The theme is about loyalty and committment.
I heard them on the radio yesterday. Tiki said when it comes to loyalty the best thing the two brothers give each other is honesty. They tell each other what they need to hear - not what they want to hear. Especially when it comes to their football skills. Tiki said too many people around pro athletes don't tell them the truth. (Imagine that). But his brother always will in a constructive manner.
They attribute much of their individual accomplishments to the observations given by the other brother.
MechanicalBull
10-18-2006, 10:42 AM
That was heavily rumored during the offseason as well. He is just starting to become an elite back in the league, but he already started doing outside projects like tv. In NY he is all over television and doesn't really talk just about sports but mostly world issues.
It's always good to get out while you can before something serious happens and he has a bunch of projects lined up waiting for him anyway. I can definitley see it happening.
Mediator12
10-18-2006, 10:48 AM
As long as he does not hang it up until after the season, My FF team is OK with that ;D
Otherwise, I really respect that. And he is right, Pro Athletes do not have people who can hold them accountable as a person, athlete, and family member. A real Sports Psychologist has value in this regard. Most teams have not seen the value of working with the WHOLE person instead of just the athlete's ego.
Dagmar
10-18-2006, 10:49 AM
Retire in January then change your mind, come join us at training camp in august...
-Slap-
10-18-2006, 10:51 AM
Tiki and Rhonde Barber seem like terrific people. They have recently collaborated on some children's books. I think the latest being released for the Holiday season is called Teammates. The theme is about loyalty and committment.
I heard them on the radio yesterday. Tiki said when it comes to loyalty the best thing the two brothers give each other is honesty. They tell each other what they need to hear - not what they want to hear. Especially when it comes to their football skills. Tiki said too many people around pro athletes don't tell them the truth. (Imagine that). But his brother always will in a constructive manner.
They attribute much of their individual accomplishments to the observations given by the other brother.
Great post. Ronde Barber is one of the most underrated cornerbacks who ever played in this League.
nothing but class from the Barber brothers. Tiki just hitting his stride as a RB? I thought he won the rushing title 2 years ago over Alexander by 1 yard.
Victor
10-18-2006, 11:36 AM
Retire in January then change your mind, come join us at training camp in august...
I've seen that sig before and I find it fascinating. I love how, after taking a header into the mat, the fellow gets up and tries to continue his routine, stumbles out of the picture and knocks over a light off camera.
I find it an interesting commentary on life and pride, and how we all get beat down every now and then. But then again, maybe it's just a guy falling on his head.
Billy Clyde Puckett
10-18-2006, 11:42 AM
Good for him. Going out on his own terms and letting his team know about it early enough that they can attempt to replace him.
Pure class!
-Slap-
10-18-2006, 12:20 PM
I've seen that sig before and I find it fascinating. I love how, after taking a header into the mat, the fellow gets up and tries to continue his routine, stumbles out of the picture and knocks over a light off camera.
I find it an interesting commentary on life and pride, and how we all get beat down every now and then. But then again, maybe it's just a guy falling on his head.
He was like, "I'll just play it off."
:rofl:
loborugger
10-18-2006, 12:22 PM
Tiki and Rhonde Barber seem like terrific people.
100 percent agree. Well spoken, intelligent, confident but not arrogant, great athletetes, etc. I wish the NFL would pimp these 2 brothers instead of the Manning twits. Well, I am not down on Eli (yet). Unlike the Manning boys, the Barber Bros actually play on the field at the same time.
epicSocialism4tw
10-18-2006, 12:32 PM
He was like, "I'll just play it off."
He wanted that extra role on Walker Texas Ranger really badly.
BigAl56
10-18-2006, 01:14 PM
Tiki is actually a wonderful person with a brain that works. Not a thug who would be on welfare if he was not playing football. I know he has aspirations of running for political office.
Barry Ramey
10-18-2006, 03:17 PM
I too wonder who much of this is about Coughlin. Barber criticized Coughlin after a loss last year just like Shockey did this year.
Master___Pain
10-18-2006, 03:21 PM
nothing but class from the Barber brothers. Tiki just hitting his stride as a RB? I thought he won the rushing title 2 years ago over Alexander by 1 yard.
That was Curtis Martin....who really should hang 'em up.
Bronco_Beerslug
10-18-2006, 04:02 PM
Good for Tiki.
Get out while you're still relatively healthy and able to enjoy the rest of your life without chronic pain. If he's at peace with the decision, I'm certainly not about to gainsay him.
Yep, see Earl Campbell.
Arkie
10-18-2006, 05:30 PM
Barber has said his goal after football is to become a host of NBC's Today show
Barry Ramey
10-18-2006, 05:35 PM
Barry Sanders left early himself, in his prime, though not sure what all he got involved with after retiring.
Northman
10-18-2006, 05:39 PM
One of my alltime favorite players both in the NFL and from UVA. It would be sad if he hung it up this early but if he isnt feeling it anymore than he isnt feeling it. I loved his Direct TV commercial where he is doing the chainsaw. And who can forget him and Ronde doing the Visa commerical a few years ago. lmao classic!
Crushaholic
10-19-2006, 01:55 PM
That's another classy player thinking of hanging it up. Good luck to him...
Bronco_Beerslug
10-19-2006, 03:00 PM
Just announced he's done after this year (on ESPN now).
Master___Pain
10-19-2006, 03:18 PM
Just announced he's done after this year (on ESPN now).
My question is why announce it mid season? Seems like a big distraction to me.
B-Love
10-19-2006, 03:25 PM
While sucking on 8 Twinkies, Peter King has been all over radio saying Tiki is a no brain Hall of Famer. Gee, a fat bloated sports writer who lives in New York, is a Giants fan, and supports another Giant for the Hall of Fame. Strange...............
I don't agree at all, as he was a rotation guy for several years, and had the most noted fumble problem in football for 3 more subsequent seasons.
But he may be the best back in the NFL over the past 4 seasons. To me he needs another season or two of dominance.
Of course, I agree with others in regards to his style, grace and class. He goes in on the 1st ballot for the classy player Hall of Fame.
It will be interesting to see what the "Giants Fellater" will say about TD if he supports Barber so openly.
Bronco_Beerslug
10-19-2006, 03:29 PM
My question is why announce it mid season? Seems like a big distraction to me.
Jerome Bettis?
Florida_Bronco
10-19-2006, 03:30 PM
My question is why announce it mid season? Seems like a big distraction to me.
He probably feels it will give the Giants enough time to find his replacement.
rbackfactory80
10-19-2006, 03:34 PM
My question is why announce it mid season? Seems like a big distraction to me.
Well now they have a reason to win, you know the theme will be win one for Tiki. Unfortunately for them it probably wont work.
Master___Pain
10-19-2006, 03:36 PM
Jerome Bettis?
That was formality. I think everyone was speculating and expected Bettis to retire. I know I was surprised. Just knowing the NY media, it seems like it could be a distraction.
Northman
10-19-2006, 03:43 PM
Well, i hope it all works out for Tiki post football. I understand he wants to be a commentator or host on the today show or something like that. Good luck to him.
sutoazul
10-19-2006, 04:49 PM
he's a classy guy.... love the barber brothers. Their commercials are the best. Good luck to tiki.
watermock
10-19-2006, 04:56 PM
I would love to see a Ronde and Tiki half hour show when they retire. Makes too much sense, won't happen.
Both are pretty expert on their respective sides of the ball.
Both are super good guys and role models to my knowledge, and could bring in a plethora of great players for interviews. Ann I don't think they need to sugar coat like Larry King that is a knob slbobbering idiot.