Rondé Barber is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Let that sink in, because it’s a moment that has been a long time coming and one Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have been waiting to witness. Barber, who played all two decades of his career in the NFL for the Buccaneers, is going to be inducted into Canton as a member of the Hall of Fame Class in 2023.
He becomes just the fifth Buccaneers player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining teammates Warren Sapp, John Lynch, and Derrick Brooks as well as Bucs legend Lee Roy Selmon.
Barber epitomized what made the Buccaneers so special during his tenure with the team, specifically the 2002 team that has gone down as one of the greatest defenses in football history. Barber played everywhere in Monte Kiffin’s secondary, and was a brute force to be reckoned with while also channeling the gentleness of Tony Dungy.
And who can forget perhaps his most iconic moment, closing down The Vet with a Pick Six that send the Bucs to their first Super Bowl back in 2003.
Barber was announced as one of the five former players who were elected to the Hall of Fame during this year’s NFL Honors. Three other players were elected by the senior committee and Don Coryell was elected as well.
Derrick Brooks got to announce Rondé Barber had joined Hall of Fame
Making the moment even more special is how the announcement was made. Barber’s teammate — and fellow Hall of Famer — Derrick Brooks was the one who got to break th news to the world.
Just watch and try not to get goosebumps:
"He was ALWAYS a problem."
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 10, 2023
🗣: @DBrooks55 welcomes @rondebarber to the @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/ajClDyQKua
Former Buccaneers cornerback Derelle Revis was also elected, although his stint with Tampa Bay pales in comparison to the historic career he had with the New York Jets.
Here’s who will be joining Barber as members of the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2023:
- Rondé Barber
- Darrelle Revis
- DeMarcus Ware
- Joe Thomas
- Zach Thomas
- Don Coryell (coach/contributor)
- Chuck Howley (senior)
- Joe Klecko (senior)
- Ken Riley (senior)
It’s almost impossible to limit what Barber has meant to Buccaneers fans to a few hundred words, as his legacy speaks for itself. That legacy will echo in the halls of Canton forever when his Hall of Fame bust is unveiled later this year.
Barber and the rest of his fellow Hall of Fame class will officially be enshrined in Canton this August.