[EmpireWF]

Over the past week, (specifically) NY Daily News columnist Gary Myers, ESPN's Tom Jackson and Michael Irvin have criticized Tiki Barbers' decision to announce his retirement this early in the year. Irvin even went as far to say Barber was a quitter. Well, Tiki had this to say in response to his critics.

I will call them 'idiots' because they have neither spoken to me nor any one of my teammates or any of my coaches, yet all they do is criticize me for being a distraction with this retirement thing...That includes New York Daily News columnist Gary Myers, that includes Tom Jackson on ESPN, 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 (retirement). And obviously, as was evidence (Monday) night, I am a huge distraction to the New York Giants." Tiki said

I know many people are loving Tiki now for what he said about Michael Irvin, who everyone believes to be a hypocrite. He loves TO and criticizes Tiki Barber because he wants to take his life in another direction.

[soriano33]

kudos to Tiki for shutting people up...if he wants to retire who cares? just because you maybe a hall of fame consideration with a couple more season doesnt mean they HAVE to play. Tiki is looking out for Tiki and thats all that should matter, let the man be hes not distracting anyone but the media from doing some real analysis on the NFL

[Lefty Noob]

Barber's 100% right -- his future is no one's business but his own, and obviously, he's showing up and doing his job on the field. That's all that matters. I sometimes get the impression that Irvin only says stuff because he loves the sound of his own voice. His accusations make absolutely no sense, and on a side note, big kudos to Tiki for wanting to go out on his own terms, while he can still walk and eat solid food!

[Trashed]

See this type of stuff is what I don't care about in pro-sports. That's what's good about the NHL. The NHL wishes they had players that would start controversies but it's so nice to be devoid of grown men calling each other silly insults. This is a Terrell Owens type crapper that interests me about as much as a warm jar of monkey urine. If Tiki retires fine...I wish him all the best and will shower him with accolades. Also I will start scouting for his replacement but stories like this are too immature to get my attention in any way.