In case you need a reminder about Rondé Barber’s greatness with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he is regarded as one of the best players in the franchise’s history. Barber long served as an embodiment of the team’s defensive identity, blending instincts, intelligence, and competitiveness while setting a standard for professionalism, preparation, and leadership.

Legendary Bucs CB Rondé Barber: Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, Barber spent all 16 of his professional seasons in Tampa Bay, becoming a model of consistency, durability, and impact on the defensive side of the ball. He played in a franchise-record 241 games with 232 starts and holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts by a defensive back, a testament to his toughness and preparation.

Barber was a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time AP All-Pro, including first-team honors in 2001, a season in which he led the league with 10 interceptions — a Bucs single-season record. Over his career, he amassed 1,428 tackles, 47 interceptions, 28 sacks, and 14 non-offensive touchdowns, making him the only player in NFL history to record at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks and placing him among the all-time leaders in defensive scoring. He was, of course, a central figure on the Bucs’ dominant defense of the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping Tampa Bay win its first Super Bowl in the 2002 season, highlighted by his iconic 92-yard pick-six that clinched the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

His longevity also bridged multiple eras of Bucs football, providing continuity as coaches, coordinators, and schemes changed, and his presence helped stabilize a defense that remained competitive long after its original championship core began to turn over. His influence on the game extended beyond statistics and longevity: Barber redefined the nickel corner role with his versatility and playmaking ability. For his extraordinary career, Barber was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 and is enshrined in the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, solidifying his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats through 50 seasons.

Even in retirement, Barber remains closely connected to the Bucs, regularly providing film breakdowns of Tampa Bay games for the team’s media channels and hosting The Rondé Barber Show on WFLA and podcast platforms every Wednesday, where he offers keen analysis and insight on the Buccaneers and the broader NFL landscape.