Ex-Giants RB Tiki Barber named semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame for first time
Former Giants running back Tiki Barber is a first-time semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday, giving new hope to a retired star who totaled more than 15,000 all-purpose yards during a standout NFL career.
Barber is one of 25 modern-day semifinalists for the hall’s Class of 2024, and one of three to achieve semifinalist status for the first time. The other two — former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and former Panthers pass rusher Julius Peppers — retired in 2018 and were both named semifinalists in their first year of eligibility.
Barber played 10 NFL seasons, all with the Giants, before retiring in 2006. His 10,449 career rushing yards remain the most in team history, while his 55 rushing touchdowns trail only the 60 scored by his one-time backup and eventual replacement, Brandon Jacobs.
Only 31 when he retired, Barber left at the peak of his production, having eclipsed 1,200 rushing yards in each of his final five seasons and clearing 1,500 in each of his last three. The three-time Pro Bowler totaled more than 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2004 and 2005, leading the NFL both times.
“It’s humbling, man,” Barber said Tuesday on his WFAN afternoon-drive radio show. “It’s been 17 years since I retired, so I’ve been eligible for 12 years, and this is the first time that I’ve been a semifinalist.”
Barber is one of three players in NFL history to record at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. The other two, Marshall Faulk and Marcus Allen, are both Hall of Famers. Barber is the only one of those three to register more than 1,000 return yards as well.
“It’s kind of cool,” Barber added. “It’s a chance to revisit my career and have people talk about it and judge whether or not I’m a Hall of Famer.”
Barber became a polarizing figure among Giants fans in his post-playing career, during which he famously criticized quarterback Eli Manning and coach Tom Coughlin. Barber was booed when the Giants inducted him into their Ring of Honor in 2010.
Barber’s twin brother, longtime Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
Other semifinalists in Tuesday’s Hall of Fame announcement include running backs Eddie George, Fred Taylor and Ricky Watters; wide receivers Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne; and defensive linemen Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork.
The 25 semifinalists emerged from an initial pool of 173 nominees and will next be cut down to 15 finalists.
Also set to receive consideration for 2024 induction are former Lions coach Buddy Parker, who was recommended by the hall’s coach/contributor committee, as well as former players Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, who were nominated by the senior committee.
Between four and nine new inductees making up the Class of 2024 are set to be announced Feb. 8.
