The New York Giants continue to utilize their rich history to energize and inspire their current roster. So far this offseason, they’ve wheeled out such big guns as Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Victor Cruz, and Howard Cross.
Over the past several practices or organized team activities (OTAs), Ottis Anders and Tiki Barber have taken turns addressing the team.
Anderson, the Super Bowl XXV MVP and a folk hero for his ability to reinvent himself, stressed the theme of unity and family to the young Giants.
Barber, the Giants’ all-time leading rusher and a borderline Pro Football Hall of Famer, also imparted his wisdom to the team.
Barber is currently a talk radio host on WFAN in New York, so his message is heard daily by millions of listeners.
Asked last week about former Giants addressing the current team, head coach Brian Daboll stressed the benefit the words of wisdom provide.
“It’s something I thought about at the end of the season, getting ready for this upcoming season, some of the things I wanted to do. One of those was to bring some guys in, brought a number of them in,” he said. “Give a good message about what it means to be a Giant for them and some different things that hopefully mean something to our players.
“Obviously a lot of legends that have played the game for this organization and tremendous football players in the National Football League, and I have a good relationship with a lot of those guys throughout my time here and they’re willing to come in and talk to those young guys. I think it’s beneficial for them.”
The Giants are back on the field this week and it will be interesting to see who else speaks to the team.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber join growing list of greats to address New York Giants
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
