FWIW a couple weeks ago the New Yorker did a piece about him and he came across as much more intelligent (and ambitious) than the average ex-pro. I've never paid attention to him in interviews, so I don't know what he's like on camera, but the article suggested he could eventually host the Today Show or some such.
With all the attention showered on Tiki (deservedly) last season, I kind of felt bad for Ronde, who has never had as much of the spotlight (though he does have a ring). It seemed like whenever they talked to the defensive Barber, the questions basically amounted to, "How great is Tiki, and how much do you suck in comparison?" Now he may get his own share of recognition.
Gotta say I'm a little bummed that it's NBC. Granted they give him a lot of additional opportunities, like the Today Show, but their football presentation was downright awful and mainly just a carbon copy of everything MNF tried to do at ABC (opening song included). Tiki is a smart guy and I hope he doesn't end up becoming a caricature of the former football player analyst. But he's an analyst. Anyone not working a live game is destined for it. I kind of felt bad for Ronde, who has never had as much of the spotlight From a football perspective, Ronde is no where near the talent that Tiki is. He's a very solid player and been quite successful in Tampa, but I don't think people will argue his HOF credentials like they probably will with Tiki. Did Tiki grab a little too much of the spotlight last season, yeah but that's part of the package. Ronde always seemed to handle it well and he has known Tiki his whole life. I'm sure he was prepared for it.
Bonkers I think one of the big reasons for that is Tiki was a running back and the primary offensive threat for the Giants while Ronde is a defensive player. While it is true Ronde has a ring, Tiki is the one that is drafted on fantasy teams, the person whose jersey everybody wants. It is inherently tough for a defensive player to be as big as a offensive playmaker unless they are absolutley dominant like Urlacher or Lewis.
While Tiki was still playing, he showed up during the season on the Fox & Friends "news show". He is very, very articulate and talked about the war in Iraq, rising oil prices, and other real news items in a well thought out manner. I think he is shorting himself (or preparing himself) by going into football. He is WAY more intelligent than your typical athlete and got Management Information Systems (from wikipedia) from the University of Virginia. I was looking for his GPA because I remember reading a while back it was either close to 4.0 or over it but I cannot find it again. I also think he graduated in 3 or 3 1/2 years but also couldn't find those numbers. He will definitely be a welcome addition in the booth over those athletes who are unable to bring themselves across as intelligent even though they actually may be.
Go on Tiki, make us proud.
Good for Tiki, and perhaps even better for us. Maybe now we will not have to watch that stupid direct tv commercial with him dancing in it! Seriously though I am looking forward to what Tiki can add to the booth.
I don't have a problem with Tiki going into broadcasting but just thought to add this: I was watching the Mike & Mike Morning show on ESPN this morning (Mike Greenberg & Mike Golic), which is a great show BTW, and they were talking about this very subject. Anyways, they go on to talk about how Tiki wants to cover the news as well because he just came back from a trip to Israel. So Greenie (Greenberg) responds, without missing a beat, how he went to Colorado and therefore, he should start covering the Winter Olympics or something off the wall like that. Oh those ESPN guys, how they tickle the fancy.
I would quit too, if I played for the Giants. All those years of overhyped expectations and unavoidable letdowns.
In response to the ESPN article on Tiki Barber today. It's too bad for Tiki that Coughlin was hard nosed and hard on him. I am supposed to feel sorry for a million dollar athlete? Earn your money, hell that goes for all those pre-madonnas. Thank goodness for Tiki that he was a professional well-known athlete. Another job going to someone undeserving. Way to start at the top and work your way up. Another athlete having the American Dream spoon fed to him. Tiki's story has me all teared up. Lets lay it out how most American non-athletes do it. They start out at entry level and network there way up each rung of the ladder until they reach the top. Getting screwed over every day by every other human trying to get themselves to the top. Hey Tiki, do me a favor take your Pro Bowl football touchdown and go home. Fill up your hot tub with the millions you already have and sit back and laugh at all of us who are in the working class.
Another job going to someone undeserving. How is Barber undeserving? He played the game of football at a professional level for a long time, and has no doubt gained an insight that not many people have. I've found that the former players often have great insight, having been in the same posistion themselves. The arguement that somebody who doesn't come close to having the same football expirience that Barber has should have the job instead of him is just ridiculous.
Another athlete having the American Dream spoon fed to him. You should copy that post and hold on to it, I don't think you've got a big enough soapbox on this one. I recommend a future T.O. thread where I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable with the bottom-feeders that reside there.
hell that goes for all those pre-madonnas /files that shit away in the "Oh noes, you dinn't!" file
I just found my next SpoFi fantasy sports team name.
The Pre-Madonnas are gonna straight up murder your ass. It looks like Tiki stole somebody's prom date.
I just found my next SpoFi fantasy sports team name. Then I'm taking "The Oh noes, you dinn't"
And the millions Tiki would be filling the hot tub with -- Tiny bubbles? Soap suds? Spongy balls like they have in the bins at kiddie playgrounds? Out with it man -- what are you trying to tell us???
In a related TiVi story, it looks like The Chin has hooked a gig at CBS. I thought he wanted to stay home? Seriously, does he need the money? Does he need the exposure? Just once I'd like to see a guy say he's going to spend time away, and with his family, then stay the hell away. That's the reason I'll always really admire Barry Sanders.
