Ronde Barber

Ronde Barber is a former NFL cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers whose resume includes a Super Bowl title, three All-Pro teams and five Pro Bowls, and a spot on the NFL’s 2000’s All-Decade Team. He is a member of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor. 

Barber was a third-round draft pick in 1997 after a strong career at the University of Virginia, where he excelled as both a defensive back and kick returner. After the 1994 season, Barber was selected ACC Freshman of the Year, and he made first-team All-ACC in all three seasons at Virginia. The Cavaliers won the 1994 Independence Bowl and the 1995 Peach Bowl with him.

Barber played for two renowned coaches in Tampa Bay,  Hall of Famer Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden, and was a key piece of the feared Tampa 2 defense. Barber played cornerback for almost his entire NFL career before switching to free safety for 2012, his final season. 

He finished his career with 1,251 tackles, 28 sacks, 47 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles. Barber holds numerous NFL records, including most consecutive starts by a defensive back (215) and most consecutive starts by a cornerback (200). He retired as the only player in NFL history with 45-plus interceptions and 25-plus sacks. Upon his retirement, he was the NFL’s active leader in defensive touchdowns scored (14). He also holds several team records. 

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Barber graduated from Cave Spring High School, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete (football, wrestling and track). He is a member of the Virginia High School Sports Hall of Fame. His twin is former NFL running back Tiki Barber.

The brothers have co-written eight children’s books.

Coincidentally,  Barber’s father was a college roommate of Super Bowl-winning Coach Bruce Arians, who babysat the twins.

Barber currently lives in Florida with his wife and his two daughters.