WFAN host Tiki Barber found himself opposite station legend Joe Benigno in a debate about the New York Jets on Monday, and by the end of it Barber had to leave the studio to calm down.
It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for the Jets and their fans. Since Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury on the fourth play of the first game, the Jets went to Dallas and got beat pretty handedly by the Cowboys in Week 2 and then never really kept pace with the Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
In an appearance on Evan & Tiki, Benigno took Barber to task for his analysis of the Jets and defense of quarterback Zach Wilson, saying Tiki couldn’t properly analyze the team’s play considering he is a beloved former member of the New York Giants and that he was calling a different game for CBS at the same time.
“All I know is this, yesterday you were in Washington with the Commanders and the Bills were you not?” Benigno asked. Barber responded he was. “OK. So don’t give me this nonsense how you’re analyzing Zach Wilson. I don’t want to hear it! It’s BS, Tik! He stinks!”
Barber, miffed at Benigno’s assertion, responded saying he was turning his mic off before you can see him on the SNY simulcast mouthing, “That’s bullshit and you know it.” He then stands up and proceeds to walk off camera and presumably out of the studio.
Co-host Evan Roberts moments later mentioned to Joe that he annoyed Tiki with what he said, and Benigno, an avid Jets fan, clarified that his comments weren’t meant to be a shot at Barber. Joe is clearly as frustrated about Wilson and the Jets as are plenty of other fans.
“I’m not annoyed at Tiki, but I’m annoyed at the whole freaking situation bro,” Benigno said.
Roberts did come to Barber’s defense in a way saying that Tiki is watching all the games even after completing his own CBS assignment.
“I don’t think he hates our team,” Roberts said.
Benigno did apologize further and that he would find a way to get in touch with him later to smooth things over.
“I don’t mean to take it out on him,” he said. “But I’ve had enough.”
