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There’s been a lot of negative publicity about Tiki Barber’s comeback, but people forget one thing. On the football field, he was an absolute beast. Tiki’s never been my favorite player but there were countless times that he carried the Giants on his back. In his final regular season game, in a game the Giants needed to win to make the playoffs, he rushed for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look at those numbers. Tiki Barber came through when the team needed him the most. That’s what winners do.
If Derek Jeter hit a home run to tie a game in the bottom of the 9th and then another one in extras to send the Yanks to the playoffs, it would be the stuff of legend. The fans and media would go gaga. That’s essentially what Tiki did. It wasn’t Willis Reed, Mark Messier, or Joe Namath, but it was badass. He just wasn’t a likable player. I’m not going to deny that Tiki has his flaws. He’s in the A-Rod Zone. He tries too hard and comes off as not genuine, but that shouldn’t detract from his on-field accomplishments like too many critics let it.
Tiki might not be a good person. He dumped his pregnant wife for a 23-year-old chick. It’s shitty any way you look at it. He announced his retirement during the season and it was a huge distraction for a team that was supposed to be competing for the Title and then dumped on Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning the following year on TV. Tiki’s burned his bridges with most Giants fans, but you have to give him credit for doing things his own way (minus the infidelity). He knew he was leaving so he announced it and he was trying to be an objective analyst. Doesn’t mean you have to like it. I didn’t.
Tiki is an all-time great Giant and football player no matter what. He had over 15,000 all-purpose yards, is the franchise’s leading rusher, and led the team to a Super Bowl. Tiki was originally expected to be a third-down back. He exceeded expectations tenfold but all anyone wants to talk about is his personality and failed TV career. It’s unfair.
And then he announced his comeback. It’s a little hypocritical. Tiki left the game in his absolute prime. His last game was his best but he said he wanted to be healthy for his family. Now, he’s almost 36 so why would he risk it? Does he need the money for alimony? Maybe. People are allowed to change their minds, though. I used to not like sushi and now I like it. Tiki has earned the right to come back. It’s not going to be with the Giants but I hope he doesn’t sign with the Jets. He is certainly a polarizing figure, but when I think about Tiki Barber, the only image I have is him cradling the ball against his bicep, making Redskins miss, and soaring towards the end zone. Don’t count him out.
Rainman Suite 