Tiki Barber to Return to NFL

Former New York Giant Tiki Barber has informed the NFL that he plans to come out of retirement and play during the 2011-2012 season.

Barber's agency confirmed the stunning development on its Twitter account.

The former running back has reportedly already filed the necessary paperwork with the league, although the Giants still have to relinquish his rights before he can negotiate contracts with other teams.

Barber, who will turn 36 in April, retired after the 2007 season after playing 10 seasons for the Giants. He finished his career as the Giants' all-time leading rusher.

After seeing my brother still have fun at our age, it reignited the fire, Tiki Barber said, according to FOXSports.com. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of seeing if I can get back to the level of where I was. I started working out again recently. It kind of shocked myself. I still had a lot of the strength I had before. I'm really looking forward to making a return.

Following retirement, Barber joined NBC as a correspondent on The Today Show and Football Night In America.

Barber's personal life has been rather tumultous in recent years. In April 2010, Barber left his wife of 11 years, Ginny (who was eight months pregnant at the time) for 23-year-old Traci Johnson, a former NBC intern.

Subsequently, NBC fired him citing a morals clause in his contract. He reportedly earned more than $300,000 per year at NBC.

Last summer, the New York Post reported Barber was broke and unable pay the terms of his divorce settlement with his ex-wife.

Barber's twin brother Ronde plays defensive back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.