Intelligent & well-spoken has *nothing* to do with character. Tiki's character sux and everyone knows it. What he said on more than one occasion shouldn't have gone beyond closed doors. Proves that he's a worm, not a team player. At least Irvin keeps it real, is not a phony.
I agree that Tiki Barber's comments are a bad reflection on him but I wonder if it's not a symptom of something larger than simply his character. These star players are typically coddled their whole lives and usually they're never forced to be held accountable for their actions. I think it's the special individual that is treated that way and doesn't allow it to effect his personality, especially when they subject to such treatment during their formative years.
Recent actions by Marvin Harrison made question this even more. I always thought of him as quiet and professional. His recent hissy fit was a surprise to me.
I'm not excusing anyone actions but I wonder if any of us lived the same lives as some of these players if we would act any differently than they do. I like to think I would but who knows what my mindset would be if I were coddled from the age of 16 and never forced to be accountable for my actions. This might be more of a societal issue than an individual issue.