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NFL New York Giants

Tiki Barber Is As Fickle As Some New York Giants Fans

By @AnthonyBeers

Getty Images

Getty Images

Tiki Barber is one of the most talented running backs to ever play for the New York Giants. He rushed for over 10,000 yards in 10 seasons. He’s the Giants’ all-time leader in rushing yards, and throughout his tenure, he helped the Giants win many games.

Unfortunately, everyone remembers Barber for running his mouth following his retirement in 2006. He claimed quarterback Eli Manning’s leadership was comical and questioned whether he was right for New York. Retired athletes often say controversial things to the media in the hopes of making headlines, but this seemed more personal. Manning stuck up for himself in the media and ultimately hushed Barber by becoming the Super Bowl MVP the following season.

That was eight years ago. Yet somehow, Barber was recently guilty of the same crime. Following the Giants’ heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Barber reported to a Los Angeles radio station that he felt Tom Coughlin should be fired. Fickle, fickle Mr. Barber.

Before Coughlin came to the Giants as head coach, Barber had the biggest flaw a running back could have: A fumbling problem. Prior to Coughlin’s arrival, Barber averaged over six fumbles a season, and in his four most recent seasons, he was having over eight a year. Coughlin lowered that average to just slightly over two a year on average. Coughlin, in essence, saved Barber’s career. What if Coughlin had reported to the media that the Giants should get rid of Barber as a result of fumbling issues? Maybe then Barber would understand how this comes across in the media.

Barber certainly is not alone in his opinion of Coughlin, and there’s no doubt Barber’s past contributions to the Giants franchise should be respected. But Barber’s sensitivity in the media and his willingness to call out coaches and ex-teammates is wildly hypocritical.

Recently, he complained to Daily News writer Gary Myers about articles he wrote in 2006. Barber’s handling of the entire segment is utterly childish. He asks tons of questions yet speaks over Myers whenever he tries to answer them. It comes across as narcissistic, to say the least.

The Giants are in the midst of a difficult season. If Barber really were an Giant lover through thick and thin, would he not be able to recognize that the Giants’ didn’t need this story right now? It’s awkward and weird. An explanation could be that Barber still struggles with the fact that the team had Super Bowl success immediately following his departure. Why else would he keep doing this?

It’s one thing to work in the media, but it’s another thing to be unfaithful to the people who allowed you to be where you are today. Barber makes those feelings obvious in his clash with Myers, who has not held back his true opinions of Barber via Twitter.

So Giants fans, try and ignore the Barber fluff that will inevitably be in the newspapers. And in the future when Barber comes to Giants games, there’s no reason to boo. He was a great player in his heyday.

But be sure to cheer a louder for Manning and Coughlin.

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