TAMPA — They are more like constant companions than competitors. That’s the way it is with twins, although their football paths were anything but identical.
Ronde Barber was born first but it was Tiki who led after that.
In 10th grade, their first year of high school in Roanoke, Virginia, Tiki took over as the starting running back while Ronde sat the bench until the starting safety got hurt midway through the season. He went on to become an all-state defensive back.
In college at Virginia, Tiki wound up playing as a true freshman while Ronde redshirted. The next season, he would lead the nation with eight interceptions and was named the ACC’s Freshman of the Year.