Former Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber initially announced his retirement from the NFL in 2013 after 16 seasons, one Super Bowl and five Pro-Bowl nominations in Tampa Bay.
Following six years of eligibility and three consecutive years as a finalist for the Hall of Fame, Barber will finally be immortalized in professional football history.
“When you’re in the conversation, you’re in the conversation for a reason,” Barber said about his nomination. “I’m just glad to get over the line.”
“It’s a shame it took Ronde this long,” former Bucs coach Tony Dungy said to the Tampa Bay Times. “But I don’t know there’s anybody who played that many games at corner and still played at a high level doing all those things in Year 13, Year 14, Year 15. It’s crazy.
One of Barber’s best plays in his career was a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2002 NFC championship game that slammed the door on the Eagles and sent the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl.