Former Giants running back Tiki Barber is reportedly disappointed but moving forward with his life after all 32 NFL teams passed on the player as he attempted to make a comeback to football .
Barber retired in 2006, and in the intervening years, has attracted more attention for his work in entertainment and tumultuous personal life than anything athletic. The athlete and twin of fellow NFL player Ronde Barber made several unsuccessful forays into entertainment and reporting since his 2006 retirement, and made headlines in 2010 when he left his wife of ten years, Ginny, who was due to imminently give birth to the couple’s twins. Barber took up with 23-year-old NBC intern Traci Lynn Johnson.
Barber actually managed to make the situation more controversial- in addition to abandoning his heavily pregnant wife, he later commented on hiding in his agent’s attic while the situation persisted. Of staying with Mark Lepselter, Barber remarked: “Lep’s Jewish, and it was like a reverse Anne Frank thing.” The offensive comments were widely condemned.
Lepselter offered comment on Barber’s failure to be selected for any NFL teams:
“This is the last time I am speaking on this subject in any way, shape or form. You can’t worry about the things in life you can’t control and Tiki has moved forward accordingly.”
Sports Illustrated ‘s Peter King said Lepselter told him:
“We are flabbergasted that Tiki has not had an opportunity with any team, especially when rosters were at 90 players this year (during training camp). I certainly thought some team would be intrigued to see what he had left in the tank.”
No mention was made of Barber’s plans after his NFL rejection.
