NEW YORK -- Tiki Barber has alerted the NFL that he plans to come out of retirement and play in the 2011 season, sources close to the former New York Giants running back said Tuesday. Barber, who sources said has already filed the appropriate paperwork to the league, will become a free agent. The 35-year-old back, who turns 36 in April, retired in 2007. He played 10 seasons, all for the Giants, finishing his career as the franchise's all-time leading rusher. After retiring, Barber was hired by NBC to be a correspondent on The Today Show and Football Night In America. He made headlines for being critical of the motivational style of his former coach, Tom Coughlin, and scoffed at former teammate Eli Manning's leadership abilities. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in the first season after Barber's retirement. Barber's personal and professional life have been in shambles recently. In April 2010, Barber reportedly left his wife of 11 years, Ginny, for 23-year-old Traci Johnson, a former NBC intern. Ginny was eight months pregnant at the time. Soon after, NBC cited its morals clause and terminated Barber's contract, which reportedly paid him more than $300,000 per year. In June 2010, the New York Post reported Barber was broke and couldn't pay his divorce settlement with his ex-wife. Barber's twin brother, Ronde, recently signed a one-year extension with the Buccaneers, where he's been a safety for 14 seasons. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...iki-barber-unretires/index.html#ixzz1G2RGM9oD
Another broke former athlete who still thinks he has something left in the tank. I thought he was returning because of his pure love and joy for the game but I thought it was odd he wanted to return after 5 years... until I read the part about him being broke and it all made sense. If he still had his NBC gig there's no way he'd fathom coming back. Nothing against Tiki but he's had a 5 year layoff and he's turning 36 in a month and trying to play the most punishing position the game has to offer. I wonder if anybody will even pick him up?
Something tells me the New York Giants aren't gonna be blowing his phone up to sign him anytime soon. I'd be shocked if he could even contribute a LITTLE bit to a team. A quick payday is all this guy is looking for, and that makes me skeptical as to what kind of shape he's in.
i feel for the guy being broke, however its hilarious he missed ou on the superbowl ring after criticizing the team after retiring. he needs to get in those subway commercials with tuck and strahan
Anybody who cheats on their pregnant wife with a 23 year old intern is scum in my book. He did always seem like a nice guy, but it's hard to overlook that. NBC gave him what he deserved and I hope the league does too. Say hello to the UFL, Tiki.
Seeing as how you want to be a sports journalist... you should write an investigative piece about that very topic (look at athletes who have done it in the past - like Jordan) and submit it to that site that published your first work.
Tiki Barber is a slimeball jerk. I hope he fails miserably in his desperation. He literally made his own bed and has to sleep in it now.
I was at a dollar store the other day and they had his book lol. Don't tell me you paid 20 something dollars for it.
Ex-Giants superstar Tiki Barber has dumped his 8-months-pregnant wife, Ginny, for sexy former NBC intern Traci Lynn Johnson, sources told The Post last night. The football star-turned-"Today" show-correspondent left his wife of 11 years, Ginny, for the 23-year-old blonde, who also worked at 30 Rock, the sources said. Ginny, who is expecting twins, found out about the relationship late last year, after the run-around running back moved out of their Upper East Side home.
