151. Tiki Barber

When Tiki Barber retired, many questioned the decision. Many thought he still had a lot to give on the field, despite the golden path he was given in broadcasting. The critics may have been proven right as the New York Giants won the Super Bowl the year after he left, and he was chastised for criticizing his former players. It is too bad that is what he is known for now, because during his prime he was one of the best running backs in the game.

Tiki Barber didn’t start off as a superstar. He was brought into the NFL by the Giants with the hope that he could occasionally befuddle defenses with his unique cutbacks. The man who many thought of only as a third-down back would become the workhorse of the New York Giants’ offense for years and was the only shining light on some dismal campaigns in Gotham.

Tiki was not just a star when his Giants were bad but was equally effective in their good seasons. He shocked the sporting world with his early retirement, and recent news reports suggest he may be ready to shock them again with a potential return. Had he not retired prematurely, many signs point to Tiki Barber racking up the statistics necessary to reach Canton. He may have put himself on the bubble forever because of it.

Should Tiki Barber be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 48.8%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 23.1%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 16.5%

No opinion. - 1.2%

No way! - 10.3%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2012
Position: Running Back
Games Played: 154
Notable Statistics: 109 Games Started
2,217 Rushing Attempts
10,449 Rushing Yards
55 Rushing Touchdowns
586 Receptions
5,183 Receiving Yards
12 Receiving Touchdowns
122 Punts
1,181 Punting Yards
1 Punting Touchdown
27 Kick Returns
544 Kick Return Yards
0 Pass Completions
1 Pass Attempt
122 Approximate Value

7 Playoff Games
5 Playoff Games Started
120 Rushing Attempts
475 Rushing Yards
1 Rushing Touchdown
26 Receptions
196 Receiving Yards
2 Punt Returns
13 Punt Return Yards
2 Kick Returns
34 Kick Return Yards
Played For: New York Giants
College: Virginia
Drafted: 2nd Round, 36th Overall in 1997
Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (None)
First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (2005)
Second Team All-Pro Selection (2) (2002 & 2004)
Pro Bowl Selection (3) (2004, 2005 & 2006)
Most Yards from Scrimmage (2) (2004 & 2005)
Most All-Purpose Yards (1) (2005)
Highest Approximate Value (1) (2005)
Most Touches (1) (2005)
Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes:
4th in 2005

Top Ten Offensive Player of the Year Finishes:
3rd in 2005

Finished 4th in Offensive Rookie of the Year Voting in 1997

Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (3) (2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards (4) (2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (3) (2002, 2004 & 2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Rushing Attempt (6) (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards per Game (4) (2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (1) (2004)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards from Scrimmage (5) (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (6) (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Touches (4) (2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Touch (5) (1999, 2000, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Punt Returns (3) (1999, 2000 & 2001)
Top Ten Finishes: Punt Return Yards (1) (1999)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Punt Return (1) (1999)
Notable All Time Rankings: 15. Yards from Scrimmage: 15,632
17. All-Purpose Yards: 17,357
26. Yards per Rushing Attempt: 4.7
28. Rushing Yards: 10,449
28. Touches: 2,803
34. Rushing Attempts: 2,217
55. Rushing Yards per Game: 67.9
74. Rushing Touchdowns: 55
100. Yards per Touch: 5.6
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: Semi-Finalist: 2024