(via Tampa Bay Buccaneers Communications) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend and Ring of Honor member Rondé Barber has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023, it was announced during NFL Honors Thursday in Phoenix.
Barber will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer in a ceremony in Canton, Ohio. He joins defensive end Lee Roy Selmon (Class of 1995), defensive tackle Warren Sapp (2013), linebacker Derrick Brooks (2014), head coach Tony Dungy (2016) and safety John Lynch (2021) among those enshrined who spent at least six seasons as a member of the Buccaneers organization.
The team's ownership group, the Glazer family, said: "During his legendary 16-year career as a Buccaneer, Rondé 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. Rondé 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."
Barber was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round (No. 66 overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft. He spent all 16 seasons of his NFL career with Tampa Bay, finishing as the franchise's all-time leader in both games played (241) and games started (232). His 232 starts are tied for the third-most all-time among defensive backs since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, per TruMedia records. Barber also recorded a streak of 215 consecutive starts – tied for the seventh-longest in NFL history.
Over the course of his professional career, Barber amassed 1,428 tackles – which stand as the second-most in franchise history behind only Derrick Brooks – 28.0 sacks, 47 interceptions, eight interception return touchdowns, 243 passes defensed, 15 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries and six additional touchdowns on fumble returns and blocked/deflected punts. A member of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl XXXVII championship team, Barber also played in 10 playoff games with nine starts, recording 50 tackles, 11 passes defensed, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one sack and one fumble recovery.
Barber is the only player in NFL history to record 25-or-more sacks and 40-or-more interceptions and one of just four players with 20-plus sacks and 35-plus interceptions, joining fellow Hall of Famers LeRoy Butler, Brian Dawkins and Charles Woodson. His 28.0 sacks are the second-most all-time among defensive backs, trailing only Rodney Harrison (30.5). Further proving his play-making ability and versatility, Barber's 14 non-offensive touchdowns are the fourth-most in NFL regular season history, while his nine interception return touchdowns between the regular season and postseason combined rank seventh in league annals.
The Roanoke, Virginia, native enjoyed a decorated career earning a number of accolades, including five Pro Bowl selections, five AP All-Pro honors and nine Defensive Player of the Week awards. Known for his leadership, Barber was selected as a team captain in nine consecutive seasons for the Buccaneers (2004-12), while also being named the team's Man of the Year in 2006 and the team's Ed Block Courage Award winner in 2011.
He resides in the Tampa area with his wife, Claudia. The couple has two daughters, Yammile and Justyce.