With his appearance at halftime of the Giants-Ravens exhibition game Sunday night, Tiki Barber made his debut on NBC Sports.

Just in time, some might say, considering the NFL's tumultuous summer.

Retired or not, Barber is a recognizable name and a non-brooding, friendly face. Even a few minutes of camera time for the former Virginia and New York Giants star offered relief to a league that wants to project a smart, classy -- not to mention, law-abiding -- image.

Football broadcasts constitute only a small part of Barber's television assignments. Although he'll be a regular on the network's NFL coverage, he's already appeared as a correspondent on the "Today" show. It was announced the other day that Barber will play a bigger role on the show when "Today" expands by an hour.

This is working out the way Barber wanted when he announced he was retiring. He was leaving too soon, a lot of people complained at the time. You can understand how Barber would be misunderstood. Nobody goes out on top.

But Barber listened to his own voice. He used football; he didn't let it use him. Now, his second career is flourishing. Recently, he was a guest on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno," introducing himself to a wider audience.

The same Leno who has been making jokes at Michael Vick's expense made conversation with Barber. What's one got to do with the other?

Maybe nothing. But we can be pretty sure UVa alumni are proud of the best football player their school ever produced. They're happy to see their man on TV.

Barber is UVa's all-time leading rusher. He was the ACC player of the year in 1996. But here's what really tickles many UVa folks: For two years, Barber was a member of the academic All-America team.

Are we all in agreement that, in so many ways, Barber couldn't reflect more positively on his alma mater? Then it's impossible to deny the opposite is true of Vick, whose perp walks are constantly replayed on TV.

Virginia Tech isn't to blame for Vick's destructive life choices, but that doesn't sever the link between the most notorious football icon since O.J. Simpson and his former school. It doesn't prevent politically incorrect critics from raising eyebrows and throwing spitballs at Tech.

Who could have guessed, by the way, that Marcus would turn out to be the better-behaved brother?

The association between the Vicks and Tech is irrevocable. Same for Barber and UVa, only in a much less embarrassing way.

As Michael Vick's sordid dogfighting scenario plays out, evidence of his recklessness continues to astound. He has taken bad judgment to new depths.

For Vick, the S-word would seem to apply. No, not "sadistic" -- although that fits, too.

The word is "stupid." Only a very stupid person would risk so much on such an abhorrent hobby.

Vick's future is not in his hands. But Barber's schedule is set: He'll appear on network TV about as often as Katie Couric, another UVa grad.

On Sunday nights during football season, Barber will be gabbing with Bob Costas and Co. He has traded in his shoulder pads for a suit and tie.

As fashion statements go, it's a smarter choice than an orange jump suit.