The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Five guys that deserve Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor recognition

By Bailey Adams

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Fireworks launch from the scoreboard in honor of John Lynch's induction to the Buccaneers Ring of Fame during the halftime ceremony of a football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Fireworks launch from the scoreboard in honor of John Lynch's induction to the Buccaneers Ring of Fame during the halftime ceremony of a football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

Embed from Getty Images

No. 1: Ronde Barber

When Buccaneer defensive legends come to mind, there’s no forgetting Ronde Barber. How he’s not already in the team’s Ring of Honor is somewhat puzzling, although it may be due to the fact that his career didn’t end until after the 2012 season. He is a sure thing as far as inductions go, which is obviously why he lands at No. 1 on this list. There’s a reason he’s one of the most beloved Bucs in history. His impact on the secondary was unmatched by anyone. He was truly an unforgettable player.

Barber played from 1997 through 2012, with all 16 seasons coming in Tampa Bay. His numbers were outstanding and he was at the center of some fantastic moments. His pick six to clinch the NFC Championship Game and send the Bucs to the Super Bowl is forever etched in stone as one of the most iconic plays in the history of the franchise. There are countless good things to say about Barber, although his numbers can tell the story. Just have a look at some of them and where they rank in team record books:

47 interceptions (first)

923 interception yards (first)

8 interceptions returned for touchdowns (first)

166 passes defended (first)

15 forced fumbles (third)

4 fumble recoveries for touchdowns (first)

28 sacks (eighth)

1,028 tackles (second-unofficially)

Those are some pretty exceptional stats. Those tell the story, but watching him play confirmed it. Should the Buccaneers announce some time before the start of this season that they’re inducting someone into the Ring of Honor, Barber is the most likely and most deserving candidate. He deserves to see his name alongside his former teammates’ in the Ring of Honor. It wouldn’t even be a stretch to have his No. 20 become the fourth jersey number retired by the team. That is certainly warranted.

Next: Buccaneers: Experts prefer Winston over Luck

What do you think, Bucs fans? Who should get into the Ring of Honor this year and in the next few years? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.

Home/Bucs News