Fall of Tiki Barber Vindication for New York Giants Fans

What's the matter, Tiki? Nothing to say?

I'm really not a vindictive guy. It's rare that a celebrity's or (retired or current) professional athlete's fall from grace gives me such joy. Not this time. Tiki Barber is living, walking proof that the ol' adage about karma really is true. Truth be told, it's a little difficult to contain my laughter while writing this. I'll give it a whirl.

Here's a brief back story for those unfamiliar with the whole Tiki Barber-New York Giants deal. Barber is arguably the greatest running back in New York Giants history. Due to many reasons that don't all have to do with Barber, he retired in 2006, ending his ten-year career without ever winning a Super Bowl championship. While Barber's decision did surprise many New York Giants fans, we all understood that Tiki wanted to move on to a new career (and be able to walk while in his 50s).

Shortly after his retirement, however, Barber pulled his own "heel turn." He buried New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, citing Coughlin as a reason for his early retirement. Barber, the guy who quit when things got tough, then called out quarterback Eli Manning for "not being a leader." Manning's teammates and many (smart) New York Giants fans did the right thing and rallied around the team's offensive general. How did Big Blue respond the follow season?

The Giants won the Super Bowl.

To put what you thought was the icing on the "I'll never own one of these cool rings" cake, Barber, an NFL on NBC correspondent, had to man up and interview Super Bowl MVP and champion Eli Manning. Manning, always the bigger man than Tiki, was gracious throughout the interview. In fact, Manning has never taken a shot at Barber since winning a Super Bowl. Eli's a great man.

This alone was more than enough vindication for Manning, the Giants' franchise and New York Giants fans everywhere. Little did we know that Benedict Barber had yet to fully pay the piper. In April of this year, tabloid newspapers, magazines and websites reported that Mr. Wholesome, Mr. Wonderful, Mr. Always Smiling on Camera and Perfect Spokesman for Everything Tiki Barber cheated on his wife. With a 23 year old NBC intern. For those of you wondering, Eli Manning took the high road here, yet again. Did I mention he's a great man?

Now, what you would imagine to be the final kick to Barber's groin. Barber, former spokesman for cycling company Tricera Revolution, is being sued by the company for "knowingly having an affair" and tarnishing his blemish-less image. Barber no longer works for NBC's Today Show or the NFL on NBC.

I know what you Tiki Barber apologists are thinking. "At least Tiki Barber isn't Lawrence Taylor. Look at all of the trouble he's gotten into over the years." Apple and oranges, my friends. Lawrence Taylor has never once pretended to be Mr. Clean, and anybody who thought he was is, well, an idiot. For all of his personal flaws, Taylor has never buried the organization in order to further his "career," and trust me, LT needs the money way more than Tiki does for numerous reasons.

Does Tiki Barber really deserve all that has happened to him over the past twelve months. Well, he made his bed, unmade it and then rolled around in it with a 23 year old. So yes, yes he does. I don't want nor do I expect Barber to continue to pay for his transgressions against my New York Giants for the rest of his natural life. When this is all said and done, however, I never want to see Tiki Barber on my television again. Not unless he's profusely apologizing to the New York Giants, the team's fans and quarterback Eli Manning;

who really is a great man.

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