Tiki calls ESPN's Irvin, Jackson 'idiots'

[BAMAPHIN 22]

New York Giants running back and NFL rushing leader Tiki Barber called ESPN analyst Michael Irvin and others "idiots" for criticizing his statements that he is leaning toward retirement after the season, ESPN said.

Barber made his comments on his Sirius Satellite Radio show "The Barber Shop" on Tuesday night, ESPN said.

"...I will call them idiots, because they have neither spoken to me, nor any one of my teammates or any of my coaches," Barber said. "Yet all they do is criticize me for being a distraction with this retirement thing."

Barber took shots at New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers, who said Barber had "created a season-long distraction" and ESPN analysts and former NFL stars Tom Jackson and Irvin.

Jackson said Barber's remarks had "distracted the team from the task at hand," and Irvin said that, "To me, in my head, that's quitting. That's not retiring."

Barber singled the three out during his radio show Tuesday night.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15317455/

 

[The Confessor]

At least on the first two, I would have to agree whole-heartedly. I dont know that I have ever read anything by Gary Myers, but he should be thankful that Tiki just put his name all-over prime time sports news....too bad for him he is lumped in with "The Plea Maker"....

 

[HysterikiLL]

Per PFT:

Tiki said "that includes the ultimate character guy, facetiously speaking, of course, Michael Irvin [of ESPN], please get a clue how to be a journalist. Don't make blanket assumptions about it."


:sidelol:

 

[Majpain]

How is that quiting? I think its great. Tiki is one of my Fav players atleast he tells his team he is going to retire unlike Brett favre. Also RB take a beating Tiki deserves it.

 

[NYinBostonFin]

If Tiki is going to be a commentator, he will be the idiot next year. It's their job to give opinions. Did he really expect that nobody would question him when he says he's retiring at a very high point in his career?

Not saying he is wrong retiring, or questioning his decision. But getting angry about others commenting is ignorant. Esp when he will be in the booth next year doing the same.

 

[BwanaZulia]

I don't know how it came out, but it IS a distraction to the team. No doubt.

He should have announced in the off season.

BZ

 

[Roman529]

I agree, Michael Irvn is an idiot.

 

[Martel]

Tiki is making it worse by responding. Now it probably is a distraction. Just play and retire if that's what you really want to do. I will believe it when i see it!!

 

[The Confessor]

If Tiki is going to be a commentator, he will be the idiot next year. It's their job to give opinions. Did he really expect that nobody would question him when he says he's retiring at a very high point in his career?

Not saying he is wrong retiring, or questioning his decision. But getting angry about others commenting is ignorant. Esp when he will be in the booth next year doing the same.

Sorry, the difference in IQ between Tiki and "Cokehead Michael" is what makes the difference-and they are at complete different ends of the spectrum. Irvin opens his mouth just cause he likes the sound of his own voice.....:wink:

 

[305TillIDie]

thin skinned tiki :wink:

 

[MR NFLFAN]

I agree, Michael Irvn is an idiot.

And so is Tom Jackson. I think they both took too many hits to te head during their playing days.

 

[Dors156]

good, because both jackson and irvin get on my nerves

 

[Slappy8800]

correct me if im wrong but, wasnt it a reporter who brought up the topic of retirement this season to Tiki, not him who said it first?

 

[finswin56]

I don't know how it came out, but it IS a distraction to the team. No doubt.

He should have announced in the off season.

BZ

Tiki didn't ANNOUNCE. There was a journalist following him around for several days doing a "piece" on him. Towards the end of that time, the reporter told Tiki, that he concluded Tiki was retiring after the season based on the way Tiki had organized his life and other clues. Tiki wasn't going to lie, but this was never initiated by him.

Tiki also says that his fellow Giants have known this before the article came out, and no one on the team has even hinted that it's been a distraction.

This whole distraction thing comes down to speculation. There is plenty of doubt. Just because people in the media think it could be a distraction doesn't make it so.

 

[finswin56]

correct me if im wrong but, wasnt it a reporter who brought up the topic of retirement this season to Tiki, not him who said it first?

You are correct sir!