Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: NFL running back for New York Giants from 1997-2006.
College: Virginia
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 200
Born On: April 7, 1975 In: Roanoke, Virginia
Childhood Heroes: “I’m a big track and field guy so I loved Carl Lewis. And Walter Payton. I just loved the way he ran, even though he wasn’t on a winning team.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Love reading. Computer geek, so I’m an Internet guy. Hangin’ out with my kids now. (Anything like golf or tennis?) My wife plays tennis. She kicks my butt. I tried golf…[smiles].”
Nickname: “Tiki is a nickname (his given name is Atiim Kiambu Barber).”
Favorite Movies: “The Goonies is great. I like the Harry Potters too. I’m a kids…I don’t like complicated movies, I like to not think sometimes [smiles].”
Musical Tastes: “Dave Matthews Band – they started in Virginia. Jazz.”
Early Football Memory: “We won the ACC Championship my junior year (’95).”
Favorite Meal: “My grandmother makes the greatest macaroni and cheese. Every time I see it, I always compare it to her’s. And it never measures up [laughs].”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Cap’n Crunch Berries. Sweet, light, I eat a whole box in a sitting [laughs].”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Orange sherbet.”
First Job: “Washing cars at a Shell gas station (age 16).”
Pre-Game Feeling: “Nervous. I guess everybody is. But I cope with it weird. I almost feel like I’m going into a sleep-like trance. I sit here, my eyes are closed. You’d think I was asleep if you looked at me. But it calms me down, gets me ready.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Professional? Or college included? (Whatever comes to mind.) My most memorable instance in my football playing career is beating Florida State on Thursday night, November 25, 1995 I think it was (televised by ESPN). I had a huge game – 311 all-purpose yards (193 rushing). And we became the first ACC team to beat them. That game made my life, really.”
Most Painful Moment: “Was my rookie year (’97), against St. Louis. In St. Louis. I was running a zone play and I cut back. And Toby Wright blind-sided me, I didn’t see him. Knocked me out. It’s the only time I’ve been knocked out in my career. It indoctrinated me into the NFL [smiles].”
Closest Giant Friends: “Ron Dayne. In the history of the Giants, Greg Comella, who’s a former Giant, is still my best friend, even though he’s been around the league. He’s in Tampa right now.”
Funniest Giants: “Shaun Williams. Strahan – ’cause he’s clownin’ around all the time. (What is it about Shaun?) They’re just all nuts. The California mentality that he has, he’s laid-back. And if you do something wrong, he’s gonna make a joke about you. Michael’s the same way.”
Toughest Competitors: “The fiercest on our team? I’d say Jeremy Shockey. He’s a consummate competitor. Whether it’s getting on the field first, or running a play in practice, or in a game – it’s the same mentality all the time.”
Funny Football Memory: “Funniest football moment was when we were playing Detroit, I believe it was three years ago. Jason Sehorn was chasing one of their receivers and his pants came unzipped. And started falling down [laughs]. It was bad because it was a touchdown, but it was funny.”
Favorite NFL Uniforms: “Broncos. No doubt, they have the sweetest style of the uniforms [smiles].”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Marshall Faulk is a guy I always tried to emulate. I love the Williams sisters, just for what they’ve accomplished. They’re going through tough times right now. But what they’ve accomplished, collectively, reminds me of my brother and I. Two sisters who’ve been successful – it’s a blessing.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Patience. Perseverance. And a commitment to whatever it is you’re doing. Excellence, things of that nature.”
Career Accomplishments: The only player in NFL history to have 10,000 rushing yards, 5,000 receiving yards, and 1,000 return yards; Three time Pro Bowler; Scored 67 touchdowns and totaled 10,449 rushing yards; In his final NFL game rushed for 137 yards on 26 carries.
(Artwork by Tony Capparelli.)
