I don’t know what to think about this. My first gut reaction when I heard what I said–and I’m not saying this is right, just my first reaction–was, “He wants to retire to get started on his TV career? What kind of a pussy is Tiki Barber?”

But then I think, “Well, the human body is not built to withstand the beating that it takes in an NFL football game, and if Tiki Barber wants to retire now and save his body the wear and tear, why the hell would anyone begrudge him that? It’s the smart thing to do.”

I’ve just never heard of anyone who’s good at anything saying, “Ah, you know, maybe it’s time to quit this thing I’m so good at, and then just talk about that thing.” I mean, I doubt that Mos Def has any kind of a pressing urge to retire from acting and rapping and write for Rolling Stone. Ron Jeremy never said, “Eh, you know, I think I’d just rather talk about giving it to someone doggystyle. Picasso was probably never like, “Ah, fuck all these paint brushes. Let’s go to the museum and tell someone else they suck.” In all seriousness, I just don’t think that’s something that’s ever been done by someone who has a real passion for what they do.

And Tiki Barber plays like someone who loves football, which might be why I’m having a hard time processing this. I could see it if Marvin Harrison was like, “I’m tired of all these people looking at me, and I don’t want to do it anymore.” But Tiki Barber has never seemed uncomfortable, he’s never seemed like he didn’t want to be there. If he didn’t love football, I doubt he’d have become as great as he is.

So if he does still love it, if he does still value a championship… I think he’d regret if he retired while still having quite a bit in the tank. Obviously, I don’t know Tiki Barber, I don’t know what motivates him, I don’t know exactly what he’s thinking here… maybe he’s not driven by things like championships, and of course, that’s fine. He’s entitled to that.

But if he does still have a competitive drive, but retires anyway… I don’t know. The things people regret in life are the things people don’t do… the risks they don’t take. A lot of times, you wish you hadn’t taken the safer, easier option. If that’s what he’s doing here, I think he’ll wish he hadn’t.

And I don’t even think he’ll be that good of an analyst. He’s got a nice smile, he seems very friendly and non-threatening… but I don’t know if I’ve ever heard him say anything interesting. Have you seen that Dish Network commercial? Is that really a guy you trust to entertain you on a Sunday pre-game show?

Of course, it might not even be a football TV gig that he’s after. It says here that his retirement goal is to become a “Today show anchor.” Which would make me respect the decision less… I mean, when Robert Smith retired from the Vikings, it was to become a doctor. Tiki Barber’s going to retire to pursue a job where his main responsibilities are to be well-groomed and read cue cards? Weak, Tiki.