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Tiki Barber

Biography

During Tiki Barber's record-breaking career as a running back for the New York Giants, he was one of the most versatile and productive players in the NFL. He is currently a correspondent for NBC’s “Today Show” and an analyst for “Football Night in America.” He has collaborated with his brother, Ronde, on three picture books: By My Brother’s Side, the Christopher Award-winning Game Day and Teammates, as well as two middle-grade novels: Kickoff! and Go Long! (Simon & Schuster, August 2008). Tiki Barber lives in New York City.

2008 Webcast

The Scoop

Note: Tiki has been busy covering the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The following comments were compiled from a 2008 press release about his new book Go Long and online interviews with Tiki and his brother/co-author Ronde Barber.

How did you get into writing children’s books?

One of the main reasons we wanted to get into writing children’s books was because of our kids. We know now that it’s not about us anymore. It’s about how we influence them and how we make them better, more full people. The basic principal that we want to incorporate when we write these kinds of books are the ideals that we learned - perseverance, hard work, determination, teamwork and respect for those around you.

What is was the inspiration for your newest book, Go Long?

Go Long is a follow-up to last year’s middle-grade novel, Kickoff! It’s another story with the theme of teamwork, perseverance, family and friendship. The book was inspired by their own middle-school years. The story reinforces the message that winners never quit and quitters never win.

What is the story about?

It's Tiki and Ronde's second year on their junior high school football team, the Eagles, and now that they are older, they might even see some playing time. But when Coach Spangler announces that he is moving up to the high school team, and Mr. Wheeler, the science teacher, is tapped for the head coaching job, the season seems over before it begins. Sure, Coach Wheeler played college football until he was benched by an injury, but it just isn't the same. Tiki wants to give Coach Wheeler a chance, yet the team's loyalties are divided. What does a science teacher know about the game of football? Can the team work together, get behind their new coach, and play smart?

You and Ronde both played a lot of sports as kids. At what age did you two decide that you were most serious about football?

We probably didn’t exclusively focus on football until our second year in college. We just enjoyed being athletes.

Do you have a favorite childhood book?

The Little Engine That Could.

You and your brother Ronde have both been advocates of children and reading through the literacy program Verizon Reads, your volunteer work in Read Across America, and other national organizations that support reading. Who were your early influences in your love of reading?

My mom always kept books around the house, so we were drawn to them.

Were you a good student? Did you always hand in your homework on time?

I was always a good student; my mom instilled in us the importance of academics early on and it stuck with us. She wouldn’t let us go to practice until we did our homework.

You are a great role model for young people. Who were your role models growing up?

Walter Payton was my favorite player. He was great all the time even when his teams weren't very good.