Former NY Giants RB Tiki Barber Comes Out of Retirement

If there is an NFL football season this fall, we may see the return of a very familiar face.

Sources are reporting that former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, one of the greatest offensive players in team history, has filed papers to come out of retirement. Barber retired four seasons ago, just one year before the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. He turns 36 years old this April.

Barber hasn't had it easy since walking away from the game of football, but many of his hardships are because of his own decisions. Last April, he split from his pregnant wife, reportedly for a 23-year old NBC intern. This relationship cost Barber his gigs with NBC programs The Today Show and Football Night in America. It was reported last summer that Barber was broke.

The Giants currently control Barber's rights but don't expect a reunion with the team if he does return to the NFL. Barber has openly criticized both head coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning since retiring, taking shots at both in his book and on the air. The Giants have an influx of running backs and keeping a 36 year old that hasn't played a single down in four years makes zero sense for the team.

This is likely a move to get Barber some money that he (reportedly) desperately needs. Can he still go on the field? For what it's worth, Barber retired before his body began to fall apart. During his final season as an active player, Barber accumulated over 2,000 total offensive yards and was physically able to play another season. There's no doubt that he's lost a step or two over the past few years but if he's kept himself in shape, it's possible he could land himself a limited role with a team that's without a dominant running game.