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.
The Big Picture Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 2:59 am
and what does ronde think about all of this? they could have a cute little TV show together.
point 23 Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 4:25 am
If I had to guess one player who would retire prematurely just to be on TV, it would be Tiki.
Tiki is second in the NFL to Peyton in Total Commercials Appeared In, he’s plastered all over NFL Network (hell, I think he hosted the damn thing for a week in the summer), he has a radio show on Sirius thats about freakin politics or something and he just wrote a kids book with his brother that I’m sure he cant wait to promote. All he has to do is host Sports Center for Gods sake.
When I heard he might be retiring, I was pumped I was going to see less Tiki. Now I’m going to be getting even more? I’m moving to Canada.
Pedro of the North Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 5:56 am
I get it. I do not have to get the snot pounded out of me and I can still get a check with a lot of zeroes and commas after the first number(s). Sounds good to me. Oh to have options.
rob Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 6:20 am
Hmmm .. I’m sure Barry Sanders enjoys his knees much more today than if he had continued on the field.
With regard to Tiki, you need to tune in to Fox and Friends one morning. Tiki has been a simi-regular on there for some time. I’m assuming that is what is inspiring his move.
Looking through NFL rosters, how many RBs have the potential to make a good living without getting nailed repeatedly every Sunday?
Squiz Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 8:03 am
Why all the hate for Tiki? Is it because he wants to actually do something with his life after football instead of just sitting around for the rest of his life? RB is arguably the most physically demanding position in the NFL. The average lifespan of an NFL RB is only about 3 seasons. Here’s a guy who everyone thought was too small to make it as a feature back in the NFL. He not only made it, he’s in his 10th year, and if he would stick around for 1 or 2 more seasons like this one he would have a real shot at the Hall of Fame. He has put his body through hell for most of his life; you can’t fault a guy for wanting to have something left of it for the 40 or so years of his life after football.
mrmom61 Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 8:06 am
Of course it could just be a ploy for more money.
DookieStyle Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 8:46 am
Or…Tiki would just like to be able to walk up a flight of stairs when he is 40.
In my opinion, if he wants to retire, let him retire. I wouldn’t consider someone weak for doing so.
I wouldn’t consider you weak if you quit all three of your sports blogs and to become a novelist.
Cut the man some slack.
gerard Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Meh - I don’t buy this for a sec. Now if he wants to retire, fine. But why start talking about it in Week 6 of a season where your team is being touted as one of the top NFC playoff prospects? Doesn’t that take some of the attention away from “the team”? Call this far-fetched, but I think he’s sending a not-so-subtle message to Coughlin & Co.: Look dummies, forget W. Dunn/LT/LJ, I’ve been one of the top 4 or 5 most productive backs over the last 3 seasons, and my team has done ZERO come playoff time!! Who’s replacing me if I leave - Brandon Jacobs? Really? Have fun with that…
He knows the window to a championship is closing, and they won’t win it with just a good running game. After saying they got outcoached in that playoff loss last year, i think this is just more of the same, but in a far more diplomatic fashion, and it will speak to his teammates as well, esp. the inconsistent ones like Eli & Plex.
As far as becoming an analyst, I think you’re right on about him seeming friendly, obviously good-looking, non-threatening, but I’ve never heard him provide anything really insightful that adds to a pre-game show. And I think that’s a problem with so many ex-player-analysts - they’re so neutral they bore me to tears. Say what you will about knucklehead Michael Irvin and HoarseVoice Tom Jackson, but at least they have firm opinions about various player stories/issues one way or the other.
We’ll see how this plays out…
Squiz Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 11:37 am
gerard…
He’s not just starting to talk about it now. Some reporter who hasn’t been paying attention heard some innocent comments and ran with them. Tiki’s been talking about this possibly being his last season all the way back to minicamps this past summer. Check today’s NY Post for some good quotes from Tiki about how this should’ve been a non-story because it’s not a new development.
Andrew Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
You know who else retired early? Jim Brown. Would you like to call him a pussy? Didn’t think so.
the mighty mjd Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
Just for the record… I didn’t call Tiki Barber a pussy, I said it was my initial reaction and prefaced it by saying that it might not be right… Did everyone just opt to not read the 2nd paragraph?
Bouj Says:
October 19th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
A running back takes the equivalent punishment of getting in a car crash on every play. Choosing to quit from getting in a car crash at 30 mph 30 times one day a week for 10 years sin’t quit equivalent to Ron Jeremy or Mos Def retiring from their chosen arts. Although Jeremy took his life in his own hands WAY more than any NFL player ever did.
Andy Says:
October 20th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Actually, I got as far as the 4th paragraph and then got distracted by that Marvin Harrison story. It reminds me of this quote from Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star:
“In conversations, he is always amiable, but elusive.
Example:
Are numbers important to you?
‘I don’t know. I’m just laughing. What have I answered before? I’ve been asked a million times. I just go out and play. I have no answer for that. My career seems so short right now and there’s a long way to go, so at some point in time, I’ll be able to look back on it, but when you’re in the midst of it, it’s hard to grasp what’s going on. If they (the statistics) aren’t brought to me, I won’t even know about it.’
And that was the best part of the interview.”
Marvin Harrison is the Brick Tamlin of the NFL.