Tiki Barber

Tiki Barber
Name	Tiki Barber
Number	21
Position	Running back
Birth date	7 April 1975
Birth place	Roanoke, Virginia
Height in	10
Weight lbs	200
High school	Cave Spring High School
College	University of Virginia
Draft year	1997
Draft pick	36
Draft team	New York Giants
Career start	1997
Career end	2006
Career highlights	* 3× Pro Bowl (2004–2006) * 2× First-team All-Pro (2004, 2005) * New York Giants Ring of Honor * NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year (2005)
Stat year	2006
Stat league	NFL
Stat label1	Rushing yards
Stat value1	10,449
Stat label2	Rushing touchdowns
Stat value2	55
Stat label3	Receptions
Stat value3	586
Stat label4	Receiving yards
Stat value4	5,183
Stat label5	Receiving touchdowns
Stat value5	12

Tiki Barber is a former professional gridball running back who played his entire career for the New York Giants of the National Football League. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the history of the New York Giants franchise. Following his retirement from the NFL, Barber transitioned to a successful career in broadcasting and media.

Early life and education

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Barber attended Cave Spring High School where he excelled in both football and track and field. He was a standout athlete, earning All-state honors and leading his team to a Virginia High School League state championship. His twin brother, Ronde Barber, also became a prominent NFL player, famously starring for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The brothers were raised by their mother, Geraldine Barber, in Montgomery County, Virginia, after their parents separated.

College career

Barber played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers at the University of Virginia. As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, he formed a formidable backfield duo with his brother Ronde Barber. He finished his collegiate career as the University of Virginia's all-time leader in all-purpose yards, a record he held for many years. His performance earned him first-team All-ACC honors and recognition as a durable and versatile offensive weapon, catching passes from quarterback Mike Groh.

Professional career

Selected in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, Barber quickly became a cornerstone of their offense. Playing under coaches Jim Fassel and later Tom Coughlin, he developed from a third-down specialist into one of the league's most complete backs. His peak seasons came in the mid-2000s, where he recorded three consecutive seasons with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and was named a First-team All-Pro in 2004 and 2005. He played in Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore Ravens and was a key figure in the New York Giants' run to the 2002 NFC Championship Game. He retired after the 2006 NFL season as the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards.

Post-playing career

Immediately after retiring, Barber joined NBC Sports and the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast team. He also worked as a correspondent for the Today show and contributed to Football Night in America. He later co-hosted a national syndicated radio show and worked for CBS Sports and the Yahoo! Sports network. Beyond broadcasting, he has been involved in business ventures and authored several books, including the children's series "Game Day" with his brother.

Personal life

Barber is the identical twin brother of Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Ronde Barber. He was married to Ginny Cha Barber, with whom he has four children. Following their divorce, he married former NBC Sports intern Traci Lynn Johnson. He has been active with various charitable organizations, including the United Way and his own Tiki Barber Foundation. His son, A.J. Barber, is a wide receiver for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Barber received numerous accolades including three selections to the Pro Bowl and two First-team All-Pro nods. He was named the NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year in 2005. His number 21 jersey is honored in the New York Giants Ring of Honor at MetLife Stadium. In 2010, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to athletics in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Category:American football running backs Category:New York Giants players Category:Virginia Cavaliers football players