3 Dec 2000: A close up of Tiki Barber #21 of the New York Giants as he looks on from the field during the game against the Washington Redskins at the FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Giants defeated the Redskins 9-7.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
The New York Giants haven’t exactly had the most positive bout of media attention over the past few weeks, ranging from Brian Flores indicting the organization in a lawsuit to rock bottom on the football field.
Flores’s comments spurred an uproar from analysts and talking heads across the sports-scape, one of which was former Giants running back, Tiki Barber.
Barber came to the defense of ownership, indicating that they would never disrespect a minority candidate in the way Flores brought to light.
“The fact that the Maras, and I always say this with the Tisches as well, they embraced me like I was family, you know what I mean? And so, I know them intimately, so when I say that I don’t believe they’re racist — I know they’re not,” Barber told Brandon Tierney on their WFAN Sports Radio show “Tiki & Tierney.”
Barber went on to target Stephen A. Smith for his comments regarding the organization:
“I can’t sit here, with conviction, like Stephen A. [Smith], who doesn’t know anybody in the Giants’ organization and claim that they’re a racist organization. I would never do that. The only reason I would do that is because I’m trying to make a point, and my point is that Brian Flores is trying to make a point,” said Barber.
“Tiki Barber took the liberty of sounding off about me [on Feb. 2], talking how about I called the New York Giants racist and how I don’t know anybody there … First of all, I don’t recall calling the Giants racist. I brought to the attention that you got a guy like [team owner] John Mara on the [NFL’s] Diversity Committee and this man has never hired a black coach in the history of the franchise — one of only six franchises to do it,” Smith said.
“Tiki, you don’t know who the hell I know. I’ve been a journalist for almost 30 years, I know a few people within the Giants organization,” Smith said, before making he matter a bit more personal
“I know a lot of stuff about you, my brother, that I would never say because I have the decency not to say those things.”
There’s no telling with Smith knows about Barber, but this was a clear threat from a media member that makes a living sensationalizing stories for entertainment.
This post was published on 2022-02-07 19:40
