Tweet
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tiki Barber has been cheered and booed and loved and hated in a 10-year run with the
New York Giants that has included the highs of playing in a Super Bowl and the lows of competing on a couple of bad teams. ADVERTISEMENT
Barber will walk through the tunnel at Giants Stadium one last time on Sunday in what will be the final home game of a career he is ending early to become a television personality.
"I know at some point, maybe this week — it might not happen until after the New Year or the next game — that I realize I won't be doing this anymore," Barber said Thursday. "But it is not something I am scared of or regret.
"It has been a great run for me. I know that. Great ups and great downs. I have been to a Super Bowl, and hopefully things turn around and we can go again."
Looking into Barber's eyes, one can sense the emotion the 31-year-old Pro Bowl running back is feeling as he prepares to retire at the height of his career.
However, he is doing his best to keep his feelings in check this week as the Giants (7-7) prepare for an almost must-win game against the
New Orleans Saints (9-5).
New York is tied for the second wild-card playoff berth with Atlanta heading into the final two weeks of the season. It can't afford any more slip-ups after losing five of six games.
"I don't think it will be emotional," Barber said. "I don't think I'll think about it. I tend to get extremely focused on what I'm doing and on my job. That's my mentality on Sunday, just like every other Sunday for the last 10 years."
In many ways, it is appropriate that Saints coach Sean Payton will be on the field for the game.
More than anyone, Payton helped transform Barber from a third-down back to an every-down halfback who is now the Giants' all-time leading rusher.
When the Giants took Barber in the second round of the 1997 draft, he was a situational player who could also return punts and kickoffs.
After taking over as the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2000, Payton made Barber his starter. He had his first 1,000-yard rushing season, caught 70 passes and returned 39 punts in leading New York to the NFC title.
Payton said the decision was easy after watching the video of the previous year. Every time Barber touched the ball he gained five yards.
"The only concern I think people had was, can he take the every day pounding as a first- and second-down back, and he's obviously proven he can do that and then some," Payton said.
With the exception of 2001, when he was bothered by a hamstring injury, Barber has gained at least 1,200 yards rushing and caught at least 50 passes in each of the last five seasons. He recently became the 20th back to rush for 10,000 career yards. He also is the Giants' all-time leader in receptions and all-purpose yardage.
"His success has been something that he's worked awfully hard for," Payton said. "He's leaving on his terms, and he'll be missed by, I'm sure, not only the Giants but the National Football League."
Barber said that having Payton on the sidelines will almost be like playing for his father.
"As he's doing in New Orleans, he finds ways to utilize his guys' strengths," Barber said of Payton. "He did that with me and revolutionized my existence as a football player and turned me into who I am now, or at least started me down that path into who I am now, and I have great respect for that."
Barber said he has not had any second thoughts about his decision to retire, adding that he already is in negotiations with networks about his television career. He has worked for Fox News during the offseason and has enjoyed that relationship.
Barber, who was booed for his fumbling problems early in his career and cheered for his great runs, said there was no one moment in his career that stood out. His only concern this weekend was winning.
"Sitting at .500 we are still in the playoffs right now, but things have to happen," Barber said. "Most importantly, we have to win. So that's what our focus and our drive is right now — just trying to win the game."
1 hour, 32 minutes ago
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Tiki Barber has been cheered and booed and loved and hated in a 10-year run with the
New York Giants that has included the highs of playing in a Super Bowl and the lows of competing on a couple of bad teams. ADVERTISEMENT
Barber will walk through the tunnel at Giants Stadium one last time on Sunday in what will be the final home game of a career he is ending early to become a television personality.
"I know at some point, maybe this week — it might not happen until after the New Year or the next game — that I realize I won't be doing this anymore," Barber said Thursday. "But it is not something I am scared of or regret.
"It has been a great run for me. I know that. Great ups and great downs. I have been to a Super Bowl, and hopefully things turn around and we can go again."
Looking into Barber's eyes, one can sense the emotion the 31-year-old Pro Bowl running back is feeling as he prepares to retire at the height of his career.
However, he is doing his best to keep his feelings in check this week as the Giants (7-7) prepare for an almost must-win game against the
New Orleans Saints (9-5).
New York is tied for the second wild-card playoff berth with Atlanta heading into the final two weeks of the season. It can't afford any more slip-ups after losing five of six games.
"I don't think it will be emotional," Barber said. "I don't think I'll think about it. I tend to get extremely focused on what I'm doing and on my job. That's my mentality on Sunday, just like every other Sunday for the last 10 years."
In many ways, it is appropriate that Saints coach Sean Payton will be on the field for the game.
More than anyone, Payton helped transform Barber from a third-down back to an every-down halfback who is now the Giants' all-time leading rusher.
When the Giants took Barber in the second round of the 1997 draft, he was a situational player who could also return punts and kickoffs.
After taking over as the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2000, Payton made Barber his starter. He had his first 1,000-yard rushing season, caught 70 passes and returned 39 punts in leading New York to the NFC title.
Payton said the decision was easy after watching the video of the previous year. Every time Barber touched the ball he gained five yards.
"The only concern I think people had was, can he take the every day pounding as a first- and second-down back, and he's obviously proven he can do that and then some," Payton said.
With the exception of 2001, when he was bothered by a hamstring injury, Barber has gained at least 1,200 yards rushing and caught at least 50 passes in each of the last five seasons. He recently became the 20th back to rush for 10,000 career yards. He also is the Giants' all-time leader in receptions and all-purpose yardage.
"His success has been something that he's worked awfully hard for," Payton said. "He's leaving on his terms, and he'll be missed by, I'm sure, not only the Giants but the National Football League."
Barber said that having Payton on the sidelines will almost be like playing for his father.
"As he's doing in New Orleans, he finds ways to utilize his guys' strengths," Barber said of Payton. "He did that with me and revolutionized my existence as a football player and turned me into who I am now, or at least started me down that path into who I am now, and I have great respect for that."
Barber said he has not had any second thoughts about his decision to retire, adding that he already is in negotiations with networks about his television career. He has worked for Fox News during the offseason and has enjoyed that relationship.
Barber, who was booed for his fumbling problems early in his career and cheered for his great runs, said there was no one moment in his career that stood out. His only concern this weekend was winning.
"Sitting at .500 we are still in the playoffs right now, but things have to happen," Barber said. "Most importantly, we have to win. So that's what our focus and our drive is right now — just trying to win the game."
<-- NFL Network
, 1996-Perot 
, 2004-Bush :|, 2008-Obama :|, 2012-Obama 
Comment