Tiki retiring? not retiring? retiring again?

[LittleBoyBlue]

If you were capable of reading the entire post you would see he didn't make your point. The "Tiki may retire" story may be beyond your ability to understand.

Thanks.

"Tiki may retire" was later reported to be "Tiki WILL retire"

 

[tyke1doe]

I've interviewed Rosey Grier and former Cowboys OL John Niland and both can barely walk. They have very, very bad knees and still haul all that weight as they lumber around.

That's the part you don't see.

Tiki Barber is a very smart player and person. He has prepared himself for life after football, when many players either are too banged up to truly enjoy life or when players suffer from deep depression because they no longer can do what they love to do and have been doing since they were children and because their earning potential takes a severe drop.

Barber has positioned himself where he doesn't have to experience this drop so suddenly, and he possibly can get out before his body starts to feel the long-term aches and pains associated with the game.

 

[kevivek]

He hosts several TV and radio shows (both sports related and political), several business enterprises, is an author, etc. Plus I heard him say since he has two small children he wants to make sure he can play with them without his body being in a mess. He also stated that his body is not handling the beating as it did in the past. His TV contract with Fox expires this year and he can start talking to other people now. I don't know of any other football player who has so much going on outside of the sports world as Tiki and if he wants on now healthy and on top of his game well good for him. He'll probably make just as much money outside football without taking the punishment.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Running backs take a tremendous amount of punishment, and no one but the runner himself knows when his body has just 'had' it.

No one is ever gonna criticize Tiki if he pulls a Jim Brown, a Barry Sanders, or even a Robert Smith, tails who many folks said retired "prematurely", and just ups and says one day, "My body just can't take it anymore."

I know I'd respect him if he did.

But what I expect out of this congenital limelight seeker, is six years of retirement before the actual event.

AND at least one Eddie George type year before he is urged behind the scenes to hang 'em up.






yeah, I don't like Tiki

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Running backs take a tremendous amount of punishment, and no one but the runner himself knows when his body has just 'had' it.

No one is ever gonna criticize Tiki if he pulls a Jim Brown, a Barry Sanders, or even a Robert Smith, tails who many folks said retired "prematurely", and just ups and says one day, "My body just can't take it anymore."

I know I'd respect him if he did.

But what I expect out of this congenital limelight seeker, is six years of retirement before the actual event.

AND at least one Eddie George type year before he is urged behind the scenes to hang 'em up.






yeah, I don't like Tiki

What is this? Cher and her 10th fairwell tour

 

[jem88]

You know, it endlessly amuses me how when a tragedy occurs (death, career-ending injury, etc.) we hear all the usual platitudes from players and fans alike ("it makes you realize that football is just a game...", "it puts it all in perspective...", etc.) Yet when a player like Barber takes the decision to retire while healthy (and avoid becoming another Mike Webster), he's suddenly branded a quitter. Where's the 'perspective' in that?

 

[LaTunaNostra]

You know, it endlessly amuses me how when a tragedy occurs (death, career-ending injury, etc.) we hear all the usual platitudes from players and fans alike ("it makes you realize that football is just a game...", "it puts it all in perspective...", etc.) Yet when a player like Barber takes the decision to retire while healthy (and avoid becoming another Mike Webster), he's suddenly branded a quitter. Where's the 'perspective' in that?

Who's calling him a quitter?

Frankly, I thought it was awful when folks called Sanders that - like they could even understand the beating he took week after week for years.

Tiki won't be 'quitting' if and when he retires...no matter when it comes.

I just don't want to hear about it a decade before it comes...like the ongoing 'Favre' extravaganza...press conference actually called about announcing press conference about not yet having made a decision.

Hate to sound so cynical...I just follow the NY media too closely to believe this thing isn't primarily about 'attention'.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

Barber will have a spot in the TV booth after he hangs up the cleats. He's played at a high level for for a good part of his career and he appears to put his football career in perspective. I don't think he wants to be exclusively defined by his career on the field. THis is a guy with ability, ambition, and charisma. He will have a healthy and lenghty career in the media, IMHO.

 

[kevivek]

For those who think it was a publicity stunt he has been hinting at it a while. He mentioned last year he would play one or two years, he mentioned during training camp this year that either this or next season would be his last. The only reason it came out now was there was a reporter following him around for the day while he was doing his interviews, book tour, etc and it was mentioned in passing that he was going to retire. It is not like he had a press conference. The media grabbed it an ran with it like they usually do.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

The only reason it came out now was there was a reporter following him around for the day while he was doing his interviews, book tour, etc.

:bang2:

I hope he plays forever. Even playing in NY, he's less visible playing than he will be once he's a one-man FULL TIME media blitz.

The thought of the next 40 years of his ubiquitous limelighting is more than I can bear.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope Tiki does not retire. I think the guy is a class act and still has game left.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

why exactly did Barry retire?

I've been watching football since 1992, but I was only 8 years old and too young to understand off-the-field matters such as that

I've never bothered to read up on that story... can anyone give me a quick summary?

Barry never really had the fire as much as some guys. He played 9 or 10 years, so he defiantely had passion, but he didn't really care as much as others.



Regarding Tiki, he is probably like Robert Smith. He wants to be able to walk when he's 50. Running back's take a pounding. Tiki is a smart, articulate guy, and he's been doing stuff on TV, Fox News and stuff. He probably wants to pursue other interests. Most guys who get to this level dedicate their entire lives to it, starting from Pop Warner.

 

[Doomsday101]

Barry never really had the fire as much as some guys. He played 9 or 10 years, so he defiantely had passion, but he didn't really care as much as others.



Regarding Tiki, he is probably like Robert Smith. He wants to be able to walk when he's 50. Running back's take a pounding. Tiki is a smart, articulate guy, and he's been doing stuff on TV, Fox News and stuff. He probably wants to pursue other interests. Most guys who get to this level dedicate their entire lives to it, starting from Pop Warner.

I agree. I think Tiki has put himself in a position to walk away from the game and do broadcast work. As you said he is a smart guy and very articulate and has done very well filling in at FOX news. I would not be suprised if he continued to play but to do so I think the Giants would have to make a very good offer to keep him.

 

[jem88]

Who's calling him a quitter?

Please refer to the opening post of this thread.

 

[HighTechDave]

The Lawn Mower...

thats so early Eighties. Tiki must go the way of Disco