Tiki Barber had it all figured out.

The New York Giants running back stepped away from the NFL in 2007 at the peak of his football career to pursue a role in broadcasting. Despite critics who questioned why Barber would leave $8.3 million on the table and retire.
Barber was approaching age 32. Barber landed a role as a correspondent for NBC’s Today and Football Night In America.

Enter Traci Lynn Johnson.

The 23-year-old blonde was an intern at NBC and caught the eye of Barber, who was married to his college sweetheart, Ginny. The couple had two children together and two more on the way when Barber left his 8-months-pregnant wife for Johnson last April.

It would mark the beginning of a hellacious three months for Barber, who not only saw his personal life spiral out of his control, but his career as well. Prior to his divorce, Barber was notified his contract wasn’t going to be renewed at Football Night In America. But once Barber became “Page Six” fodder, NBC quietly pulled the plug from his contract, citing he had violated the morality clause.

With his $300,000 NBC salary gone, Barber was reportedly so broke that he couldn’t afford a divorce settlement.

Fast forward to Tuesday when Barber’s agent, Mark Lepselter, announced the 35-year-old had filed papers with the league office to come out of retirement and attempt to revive his football career.