Former Giants running-back Tiki Barber is returning to the field after a four year retirement. Where he will wind up is unknown at this point, but it is definitely not with the Giants. It will be interesting to see who will pick him up as a player, and if they will put him on the first string. It is one thing to be at the top of your game at 31, quite another at 35. No doubt Tiki kept himself in shape while retired, but it is doubtful that he kept himself in game shape. The body has a much harder time returning to condition after four years of being let down. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger will never be able to regain his Mr Universe body unless he took enhancement drugs, dangerous at his age. Tiki cannot resort to drugs as he has to maintain a clean standard for competition.
Certainly athletes have returned to the field after retirement. But football is second only to hockey in terms of physical demands. Not many hockey players successfully return to the ice after retirement, and football players have almost as hard of a time as well. As we age our reflexes diminish and that is not a good thing for any sports player. Tiki has to be as sharp as possible since his job is to catch the football and take it to the end zone. Will he be able to bring the game he once had back to the field? There is no way to know until the time comes that he steps foot back onto the turf.
