Who

In 2006 Tiki Barber retired from the Giants as the most productive offensive player in team history. The shiny-domed athlete has traded in his cleats for a spot alongside Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira on the Today Show.

Backstory

Tiki—his given name is Atiim Kaimbu, which means "fiery-tempered king" in Swahili—was a multi-sport star and the valedictorian of his Virginia high school before moving on to a successful career at the University of Virginia. In 1997, he was drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Although his first few years on the team were unexceptional—he suffered several injuries that left him out of commission and was plagued by fumble-itis—in 2000 he enjoyed a breakout year as a running back, gaining at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in seven straight seasons and earning Pro Bowl nods in his final three. He retired after the 2006 season—still at the top of his game—to focus on Tiki the brand.

Of note

It was no secret that Tiki had plans to pursue an entertainment career; unlike many jocks turned broadcasters (such as Eric Dickerson), he can stand in front of a camera without completely embarrassing himself. Midway through the 2006 season, he announced it was his last and signed a $3 million annual contract to be a correspondent for the Today Show and a football analyst for NBC. He's done well so far—so well, in fact, that there's been talk that he might be in line for the co-anchor seat.

Barber's been busy on other fronts as well. He's appeared in TV ads for companies like Visa and Cadillac; acted in an off-Broadway production of Women of Manhattan (playing the improbable role of "angry black man"); written three children's books with his brother Ronde; and partnered with Stephen Ross's Related Companies to launch Tiki Ventures, a real estate enterprise that buys and restores dilapidated affordable housing developments. In September 2007, he published an autobiography, Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond.

Drama

Barber's show-biz aspirations were less well-received in the Giants clubhouse. Some teammates felt that his much-publicized decision to retire early was a distraction and that he cared more about his future entertainment career than the team's success, a tension that led Barber to trade barbs in the press with Giants quarterback Eli Manning in 2007. It wasn't the first time Barber had gotten into a public war of words with a teammate. In 2002, he vocally criticized star end Michael Strahan for holding out for a bigger contract, and in 2006 he took issue with coach Tom Coughlin's play calling.

Family ties

His identical twin brother Ronde is a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ronde has had a successful career, but for a variety of reasons—a more subdued personality, playing a less visible position, playing in Tampa rather than New York—he hasn't become the breakout star Tiki has.

Personal

Barber's wife is Ginny Cha; she's of Vietnamese decent and previously worked as a publicist for Ermenegildo Zegna. They have two sons—Atiim Kiambu, Jr. (he goes by A.J.) and Chason—and live in a 4,000 square foot apartment on East 69th Street that features a TV in every room. (Barber's in-laws also live with them.) They're planning to relocate soon: In mid-2007, Tiki bought a 3,500-square-foot apartment at the Miraval Living complex on East 72nd Street for more than $6 million.