Rondé Barber’s time has come.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its new Class of 2023 on Thursday evening and Barber, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ groundbreaking and record-setting cornerback, was one of five modern-era players to get the call. The ultimate honor that can be bestowed upon an NFL player arrived in Barber’s sixth year of eligibility and third straight as a finalist.
Barber becomes the fifth player who played all or the majority of his career with the Buccaneers to be voted into the Hall of Fame. He joins defensive end Lee Roy Selmon (Class of 1995), defensive tackle Warren Sapp (2013), linebacker Derrick Brooks (2014) and safety John Lynch (2021). Barber, Sapp, Brooks and Lynch were all cornerstones of the Buccaneers legendary defense that dominated in the late 1990s and early 2000s, peaking with a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Barber’s multiple years as a finalist made his election to the Hall seem inevitable but Thursday’s announcement was a cause of great celebration for the NFL’s 27th franchise, for whom he played his entire 16-year career.
“During his legendary 16-year career as a Buccaneer, Ronde established himself as one of the most iconic players in team history and his selection today to the Pro Football Hall of Fame further solidifies him as one of the greatest players of all time,” said the Glazer Family in a statement on Thursday night. “Ronde was the embodiment of a true professional, a fierce competitor and a student of the game. He was a natural leader who always found a way to leave his mark on the game and was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in our franchise history. We look forward to celebrating his legendary career later this year when he takes his rightful place alongside the other Buccaneers Hall of Famers in Canton.”
As a candidate for a bronze bust and a gold jacket, Barber checked every box:
Record-setting numbers: Barber is the Buccaneers’ career leader in interceptions with 47 and he also recorded 28.0 sacks, the second most ever by an NFL defensive back. Of those 28.0 sacks, 27.0 came from the cornerback spot, a record for the position. With that combination of big plays, Barber is the only player in league history to record at least 40 interceptions and at least 25 sacks.
Big plays: Barber scored 14 non-offensive touchdowns in his regular-season career (and one more in the postseason), the fourth highest total in NFL history behind only Devin Hester, Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson. Of those 14…
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