IAm Tiki Barber, New York Giants career rushing leader, 3x All-Pro and Co-Founder of Thuzio.com. AMA.

Tiki Barber? Any relation to Super Bowl Champion and future Hall Of Famer Ronde Barber?

You forgot "devastatingly handsome." ha!

Do you have tiki torches when you have barbecues in your backyard?

Absolutely.

Who wins in an arm wretling match, you or Ronde? Also want a dick pic?

Favre won both of those.

Is Michael Strahan's gap as wide in person as it is on TV?

He embraces it and wears it well.

Hey tiki. Some jackasses broke into my house last week and jacked an autographed mini helmet that was signed by you. Help a lifelong fan out?

Message me your info on here. I'll see what I can do.

As a RB, Who is the single defensive player you used to actively try to avoid out on the field?

Jeremiah Trotter. We played each other so much and knew each other so well that when he hit me, he hit me hard. But he'd also help me up and sometimes tickle me under the pile.

Hey Tiki, were you aware that the pic used in Dee Brown's profile on Thuzio isn't actually Dee? They used a pic of Gerald Green from the dunk contest honoring Dee by wearing his jersey and replicating his dunk.

good spot, I'll let our product team know

What is josun45's reward!?

pat on the back! digital thank you!

Hi Tiki.

You came up in conversation last night around the dinner table and my mother - a 56 year old white woman - told us she would totally bang you. The Giants are and always have been her favourite team.

I just felt telling you was the right thing to do.. She'd shit if she knew I told you that.

Well it's a good thing that the internet is mostly anonymous. Unless your name is really Johnny Butt, then you have some explaining to do.

I apologize for the fellow Redditors on here who are taking cheapshots at your personal life. Thank you for doing this AMA, and best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

thank you, it's okay...it's expected being in the media and in the veil of the internet

I went up to UAlbany one summer when my sister attended school there. I have an autographed football from you, Kurt Warner, and Eli. Never really got to thank you taking your time out to sign a 12 year old kids football, it really made my summer. I don't have much sports memorabilia so this is one of my most prized possessions. Thank You

No problem...appreciate the support!

Do you and Eli Manning have a positive relationship? You called him out after you retired and he won a Super Bowl the next year, something that you were never able to do.

Yes, actually Eli and I get along great. I expressed an opinion about Eli that I was wrong about. Get over it. He did!

You obviously had a problem holding onto the football early in your career and fixed that later on. who taught you to carry the football and what did you do to fix the fumbling problem?

It was more my running back coach Jerald Ingram, Coach Coughlin gets the credit as well

I hear you put up some seriously impressive squat numbers in the weight room when you were with the Giants.

What was your max?

720lbs

Hey Tiki! As a die hard Buccaneers fan, I grew up learning a ton about you and Ronde. Can you describe your relationship with him? He's a hero here in Tampa. What's something we may not know about him?

Hope all is well with you!

Ronde and I are as close as 2 people can be and since Ive been retired, I am able to spend a lot more time with him, which is fantastic. I am sure you know that h is a 5 handicap golfer, but another big hobby of his is traveling the world. Last year he went to Australia, New Zealand. I am sure this year he will be some place exotic.

Personally, do you think you were properly prepared to retire from football? More broadly, do you think that the NFL needs to implement programs to help retired players re-adjust to a life away from football?

First of all, great question. Personally, yes, because I live in NYC and had influences outside of sport. More broadly, the NFL needs to find a way to restart the emotional and professional development of players so that when they go into the "real world" they are prepared for the challenges of not being a pro athlete. With that said, there's only so much the league and teams can do when players feel like they are invincible and will play forever.

Hey Tiki, thanks a lot for doing this. How often do you think about what could have been if you retired a year later? You were obviously still effective on the field, making it to the Pro Bowl.

Not very often. I feel I was already moving forward in my professional life, and honestly, I'm not sure the Giants would have won the Super Bowl if I were still there.

People put so much emphasis on me not being there, rather than where it belongs - with Eli ascending to such a great player/leader late in the year. I'm not sure that would have happened if I were still there from a team dynamics standpoint.

Tiki, what are your thoughts on homosexuals "coming out" in the sport? Also did you miss returning punts later on in your career?

We live in a post-racial, post suffrage, athletic era and it's about time the taboo of homosexuality is addressed and we stop judging people based on their sexual preference instead of athletic ability. One of my coaches said this, "I ain't prejudice against nobody, but a non-baller"

Tiki,

Fellow Cavalier here. Wahoo wah! Many here might not know that during your time at the University of Virginia you managed to achieve an impeccable GPA in one of the most difficult programs offered at the school. Can you comment on what it took to be incredibly successful both on the field and in the classroom?

Also, do you believe in ghosts?

I chose UVA for the academics.

I was in the computer room all the time in the free time!

Hey Tiki, I was wondering if you would consider adding Chris Kluwe to your line up on thuzio.com I think he'd be really popular

Yes, if he would join!

Do you like apples?

yes

You remember doing this prank pretending you were Ronde pretending to be Tiki?

It was hilarious and pretty well done. Sorry if this seems like a random question, but is Jamie Kennedy a huge douche-bag? That seems to be the general consensus on here, so I would appreciate a little insight.

Thanks for the AMA

Of course I remember that. C-Level entertainment at its finest. I'd be surprised if public access accepted that But he was actually a good guy.

I really respected that you retired before you sustained any kind of long term injury. What has been the best part about retiring when you did?

Just that I left with my health and my sanity.

With Ahmad Bradshaw injured as often as he is, do you think David Wilson will eventually step into a starting role with the Giants?

Yes...the biggest concern for David is his ability to be a 3rd down protector/blocker (knowing blitz assignments). Other than that he's phenomenal and a threat to go the distance every time.

In your humble opinion, which is the best brother combination of the 90s/00s- you guys or the Sharpes?

That's a great question. I think that Ronde and I got more press because of longevity and Sterling's early retirement, but they (like us) were blessed to have familial success, which is unique.

Hey Tiki, big fan. What are your thoughts on the pistol offense that has been so popular this season? Do you think it's just another fad like the Wildcat package?

It's definitely not a fad because it's a typical NFL offense, just run out of a unique starting formation. If you have an athletic QB it's a great way to bring them into the league without having to be 3 yards from the most intense players on the field - like a Ray Lewis.

tiki I won you for 600 bucks do to karaoke night. Hows your voice?

Fantastic!

Did you ever draft yourself first in fantasy football leagues?

no I'm not available

What do you think of your interview with Howard Stern? Is anyone better at interviewing people than Howard?

Howard was the most honest, straight-forward interviewer I have ever encountered. He puts you at ease, so that you truly feel that you are just talking with one of your friends.

Has anyone ever told you you look a lot like that Ronde guy from the Buccaneers? I'm sure you get it a lot.

Handsome guy.

Do you still maintain any contact with Tom Coughlin at all, be it professional or personal?

Have not talked with Tom since my last game.

Who was your favorite coach to play for? Any specific reasons why?

Coach George Welsch, got the best out of me...go Hoos!

What do you miss most about playing football with the Giants since you've retired?

There's something special about walking out into Giants Stadium on a Sunday afternoon that is irreplaceable. Doing my job really well. And hearing the crowd.

Hi! Has your platform become involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation? I know that lots of kids ask to meet up with their favorite athlete(s).

We are getting involved with multiple charities! Contact us directly.

When was the moment you realized you wanted to retire?

Almost did after Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch passed away in 2005. Then after Eagles game, second week in 2006, I realized physically I couldn't do it much longer. I didn't want to be broken down at 40.

What's your guilty pleasure?

I love that you think Tiki Barber has any capacity for guilt.

Touche. Jack Daniels.

how did you get your name?

My real name Atiim Kiambu it means "fiery tempered king" because I was in an incubator when I was an infant and wasn't happy to be there. "Tiki" comes from the ti" in Atiim and the "Ki" in Kiambu.

Heh Tiki, lifelong Giants fan, loved you when you were playing and got over the Eli comments after SB42. My question is what do you think you can do to repair the relationship between you and the Giants fans who are still upset over said Eli comments? Besides time of course.

What can I say? I admitted I was wrong, wasn't a personal attack, was doing my job giving commentary...I played for the Giants my entire career and will always root for the Giants.

Tiki, as a life-long Packers fan, I can still say you were an excellent player. Hope that means a lot to you because it wasn't easy to say.

Thanks, it was tough playing against Brett Favre

Hi Tiki, Which QB would you rather play with, Luck, Griffen, Keapernick or Wilson?

Pistol offense with Kaepernick, however my style is more suited for a traditional offense (stretch runs, pass catching out of the backfield), which is the Colts and Luck.

What is the player perspective on performance enhancing drug use/testing/bans? Do players discuss the issue or is it something that everyone prefers not to talk about?

It mostly goes un-talked about unless and until a teammate gets caught and suspended.

You should do another AMA on /r/nfl.

This was fun, maybe I'll do it in the future or see if another Thuzio talent will want to.

Hey Tiki, i wanted to know how tough it was mentaly to get back to the line of play after taking multiple hits each run play

I always found it important to know when a play was dead and know when the next one was more important. In that sense, I was able to avoid a bunch of hits. However, taking a big hit and staying on the field is the most important thing a RB can do.

Who are some running backs who influenced you? Did you emulate anyone's running style or was it more instinctual?

Thurman Thomas, Ricky Watters and Marshall Faulk and obviously Walter Payton in that they did everything from a RB position - running catching, blocking, and didn't need to leave the field. That's who I wanted to be as a player.

How did it feel to play in the Super Bowl back in 2000?

It was great to make it to the Super Bowl, but the game itself left a lot to be desired.

How did you come up with the name "Thuzio"? Does it have some relevance or was it basically random?

Random....short for Enthusiasts. No rights issues.

When you were in college playing for UVA, what was your school life like? Did you ever get in trouble with the school?

I was a MIS major, spent most of my free time in the computer lab.

Is there a team that you would play for now other than the giants?

I would never consider playing any more, but coaches I'd have like to play for: Mike Tomlin and Sean Payton.

What does Jim Brown smell like? I've always guessed pop tarts.

I have no idea. If you find out let me know. That's an intriguing question.

Hey Tiki, I've been a die hard Giants fan since I can remember, we've even met a couple times.

What has been the best (take that as you will) thing you've done with your fame?

Used it to raise a lot of money for charity, particularly the Fresh Air Fund and influence a generation of young male readers with Ronde and my 9 children's books.

Hey Tiki, I have to say I read your book and thought it was awesome! I hope your new enterprise does well. I'm a Packer fan but I always liked to watch you play on Sundays.

Thanks for the support!

Tiki, what do you find to be the most challenging part of running Thuzio.com? Likewise, funnest?

Most challenging part is creating a marketplace that didn't exist before in this capacity. Funnest is to start something from nothing, and see it grow and become reality.

What is Thuzio.com?

It's an online platform in early-stage start-up phase that allows the public to get direct access to pro talent for business, charity and personal events and appearances. Athlete appearances and talent booking have been around for a long time, and we're looking to bring transparency to the industry.

Did you watch the Super Bowl last night?

yes I did.

Tiki, thank you so much for doing this. You are my favorite Giant and I still have my sign that I brought to my first Giants game against the Steelers in '04 which said "Fumbles? What Fumbles? Go Tiki!" On to my question. How did/do you handle being compared to Ronde?

Thanks! I actually love the comparison because it accentuates our differences as well as our similarities...in some of those I get bragging rights (and many he does). We are as different as we are similar.

Just to start off you were one of my favorite players as a kid. What inspired you to try and make a comeback? How shocked were you by your comeback not being so successful?

Not shocked, because I hadn't played in 4 years. Mike Tomlin actually sparked me, because covering the Super Bowl he suggested it. Unfortunately, that year the lockout happened and I never really got a jump. But it sparked my professional career. Later that summer I co-founded Thuzio with Mark Gerson, which identified the exact issue I was having as an ex-player and a year later, I was back on radio. It all worked out fine.

You recently attempted a comeback, why do you feel teams didn't express interest and do you regret trying?

Answered this on here already.

Do you regret Retirement?

No, football was taking a toll on my body, and at the point I was moving on with other career aspirations.

I heard you on Howard Stern.. glad you're not depressed anymore! GL in your business venture.

Thanks!

Hi, Tiki! This may be a bit too personal, but I went to the same college where your father is on faculty. I didn't know him well, just delivered packages to his office a few times. Do you two have much of a relationship anymore? Thanks.

I don't remember seeing my father until I was in 7th grade, and while we connected a handful of time while I was playing professionally, we never established a real relationship and we don't currently have one.

How exactly is Thuzio any different from an escort service?

"... have Tiki Barber join you for dinner next Thursday night..." "... your possibilities ARE endless..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ85qzeqCBY

Athlete/Talent appearances have been around forever, Thuzio brings transparency and legitimizes it. How about a lawyer's $500/hr lunch meeting fees? It's a way for fans, businesses, charities to access talent without having to know someone directly and haggle pricing.

What were your pre-game rituals? Like, did you have a special meal or anything?

pre game nap in the equipment room.

Who's been the most-requested person from thuzio so far?

Currently, myself because of the low test price points, as I was the beta.

Favorite play of yours of all time?

Oct 30, 2005 vs. Redskins, six days after Wellington Mara passed away, my 206th yard of that day was on a draw play that resulted in a TD. I gave that ball to Wellington's grandson and took myself out of the game in the 3rd quarter. I had done all that I could to honor the legacy of a great Giant and a great man in our sport.

How do you feel now about dumping your eight month pregnant wife of 11 years, then subsequently missing out on the birth of your twin daughters?

Relationships and marriage is very complicated. The only thing that is important now is that my family and I are in a good place, despite what the media exposes.

Do you have any regrets about retiring at what some people would consider, such a young age?

None. I'm healthy and sane.

How is Thuzio doing? Can you please tell us more about it?

It's doing great. We launched in August, and now have nearly 400 athletes in 3 major markets. Our traffic has been increasing every month and a steady flow of transactions.

Hey Tiki, big Giants fan and you were my favorite offensive player with Strahan being my favorite defensive one. Still wish I could wear your jersey but it doesn't fit anymore. Plus you were a very reliable fantasy pick. Who was your favorite player to play with and against? Why did you choose #21? What happened between you and Fox News, because my dad used to record you when you came on, and I was hoping you would stay with them after retirement?

My brother was my favorite player to play with and against - we played in three pro bowls together. I was given #21 but I think it suited me pretty well. Fox gave me a great opportunity in 2004 to host a show and not have to cover sports which broadened my interest in the world. When I retired though, I felt the bigger opportunity was at NBC because it was the Today Show. But I miss Fox, those guys were always great to me.

Right before the start of the 2007 season, you questioned Eli's leadership abilities. That year he won the superbowl. What do you think of his leadership ability now that he has won TWO superbowls?

Second question. Why are you having two hour lunches for people for 500$? I mean..you can't be that broke...

Answered the first question above. With the second one, I'm testing out pricing and date points for a business I created. At that price point, we are booking about 20 bookings a month. And don't forget, I have a nationally syndicated radio show now. It's not about being broke, it's about being an entrepreneur.

Hi Tiki, hope you are well and enjoying retirement. One question I had was the importance of pass blocking for a RB in the Giants offense. A lot of fans are pushing for David Wilson to be named the #1 for the foreseeable future, while others say it will not happen until our coaches feel comfortable with him protecting Eli. As someone who has been there, Can you give a little insight into how important a trait that really is for a RB to achieve success under our current coaches?

that is very important to be able pass protect, and usually why young rbs don't get as much playing time.

In your honest opinion, how fixed is the NFL? I love the sport I'm just curious. and also, I have a Shockey autographed football, how worthless is it?

It's not fixed at all. It's ultimate reality TV, though it may seem as a fan of XYZ team it may seem as it is. I love Jeremy Shockey. He was always a good friend to me.

Tiki, TBD is the only thing I can stand on cbs sports radio. I have a half hour drive every morning to get to work and you guys are great. Thanks!

Thank you. Hopefully our affiliated stations grow, because we talk sports, but really just fun.

One of my best friends from UVA (go wahoos!) said he went to your high school in Roanoke and that despite you and your brother playing awesome the team still sucked.

My question is, how was that possible?

With two future NFL Pro Bowlers, my best high school record was 6-5. Possible because my O-Linemen were my size.

Tiki, do you regret the way you left the Giants, as the all time leading rusher but in a manner that hurt the relationship you had with many team members and fans, not to mention before an eventual Super Bowl victory?

see below...I've answered this question.

Tiki,

I promise to click on every advertisement in your website if you respond to this.

That is all

thuzio.com

Hey tiki if you're reading this I just wanted to tell you that it was awesome watching you play a few years ago. Me and my dad watched you every Sunday. You had awesome balance and speed and it was awesome to only need one back. My favorite game of yours was in your last season I think against the KC chiefs where you ran for nearly 200 yards. Anyway I just wanted to ask if you maybe had any regrets about anything in your career or maybe personal life...maybe you wish you hadn't said this or maybe you wish you had done this differently on the field or anything really. Ps thanks for the memories they were great! You're my favorite running back by the way and I still have your jersey

First, thanks for the kind words. I never think about things I regret, because I can't control them. I just try to live life to the fullest and do the best that I can given the circumstances. And just like when I was playing, smile in the face of adversity.

How much offensive trash talk is there on the football field?

Interestingly, not as much as you'd think, because we are too busy trying to figure out how to get into the right play. Trash talk generally only happens between 2-3 people after a given play.