This had to be intentional, right? There’s no way the stars could’ve aligned more perfectly for Tiki Barber and his CBS crew, which includes Andrew Catalon, Jason McCourty, and A.J. Ross, to be on the call for Eagles-Giants with Saquon Barkley on the verge of breaking the regular season rushing record.
Barkley already surpassed 2,000 yards last week, so what’s 101 more?
The former New York Giants running back is within striking distance of Eric Dickerson’s record and only needs his 12th 100-yard performance of the season to rub it in his former team’s face again.
The CBS broadcast crew for Eagles-Giants on Sunday is Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty and A.J. Ross.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) December 31, 2024
Of course, CBS will broadcast this NFC East showdown, featuring a broadcaster and WFAN radio co-host who once declared Barkley “dead to us.”
Saquon could break the single season rushing record in front of Tiki Barber 9 months after he told him he was dead to him https://t.co/4sqy9pN4EV pic.twitter.com/PtjotYJAAm
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 31, 2024
Barber, who had previously said that Barkley considering joining the Eagles “is insulting to his Giant history and legacy,” didn’t take the news of Barkley’s signing with Philadelphia well.
“He’s dead to us now,” a chuckling Barber said on his afternoon WFAN show, Evan & Tiki. Barber continued with further prodding from co-host Evan Roberts. “He’s dead to us. You’re dead to us, Saquon. Good luck. You’re dead to me.”
That sparked a war of words, with Barkley firing back in multiple tweets.
@TikiBarber lol yup you’re the prime example of loyalty to a team.. I got the deal I wanted, secured more gm which wasn’t given to me before… so if fans are gonna hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs https://t.co/6aKgJquD0F
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 11, 2024
He continued.
@TikiBarber you been a hater since I got to New York … and all the “Dead to me” talk don’t smile in my face when you see me
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 11, 2024
The last time Barkley fed into the feud was during an appearance on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce.
“I love seeing NFL guys, I love seeing OGs, I love seeing you guys, you have a platform, this is a place where you know ball, you can talk, you can educate fans. Maybe use that time to show, ‘Maybe this is why Saquon is going to Philly,’ Barkley said.
“The business side of it, use that to show–I’m not saying you got to have loyalty to me because I don’t care for that, to be honest, but you are an ex-NFL player, an ex-NFL athlete, don’t feed into the B.S.,” Barkley said. “Let fans do that, they’re supposed to do that, they’re emotional.”
That was then; this is now.
Now, Saquon has a chance to make history. Meanwhile, Barber might have to swallow his words—and his pride—on the call.
[Crossing Broad]
