Former football star Barbergets new career: journalism

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- "In some ways it's a loose term, but, yes, I think I am," former NFL running back Tiki Barber says about his new label -- journalist.

"I think a journalist is someone who tells stories, and I do it in my own way and with my own voice. It's a different kind of challenge than what I've faced my entire life being an athlete."

The new challenge led Barber a few months ago to a new team, NBC's "Today" show. His sports background does give him some valuable "been-there" experience, he feels.

"There's a responsibility that comes with telling someone else's story, which I know from experience being an athlete and getting interviewed and having stories written about me -- sometimes they're right, sometime they're not," he said. "It's a responsibility to tell a story correctly. It takes practice, and I'm learning."

At a recent network party atop the roof of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Barber, 32, was careful not to be too cocky about his new job. There have been, after all, other retired athletes who've failed to make the same leap.

But, unlike most others, Barber decided to end his tenure with the New York Giants while still in his prime. And he's going into the "Today" gig with at least some broadcasting experience from moonlighting as a co-host on radio and TV talk shows.

An invitation to Israel two years ago from former prime minister Shimon Peres spurred his interest in hard news.

"When I came back to host [New York morning show] 'Fox & Friends,' all of a sudden I was talking about world events, politics, and life in America. I was intrigued by it and started to get a passion for it," Barber said.

"Tiki's a big New York star, so we were all watching him," said Michael Weisman, executive producer of NBC's pre-game "Football Night in America" on Sunday nights, for which Barber's an in-studio analyst.

"He was very sought after by all the networks -- I don't want to say it was a bidding war, but I know that [NBC Universal Television President and CEO] Jeff Zucker and all the highest levels at NBC were involved in the hiring of Tiki. He did not sneak on the scene."