Ronde Barber facts for kids
Barber with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | April 7, 1975 Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 184 lb (83 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Cave Spring (Roanoke, Virginia) |
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| College: | Virginia (1993–1996) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1997 / Round: 3 / Pick: 66 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Jamael Orondé "Ronde" Barber (born April 7, 1975) is a former professional football player. He was a cornerback who played his entire 16-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League (NFL). Ronde grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was named an All-American twice.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose Barber in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft. During his career, he was picked for five Pro Bowls. He also earned three first-team and two second-team All-Pro honors. He was part of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. In 2001, he led the NFL in interceptions. He is also the Buccaneers' all-time leader in interceptions. Barber is one of only two players with over 40 interceptions and 20 quarterback sacks. He holds the record for most consecutive starts by a defensive back. Barber was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Contents
Early Life and High School
Ronde Barber was born on April 7, 1975. He was born seven minutes before his identical twin brother, Tiki Barber. Tiki also became a famous NFL player, playing as a running back for the New York Giants.
Ronde went to Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Virginia. He was a star athlete in football, wrestling, and track. In football, he was chosen for the All-District team three times. In track, he was a national champion in the 55-meter hurdles in 1993. He also won four state titles in hurdles.
College Career
Barber earned a scholarship to the University of Virginia. He played for the Virginia Cavaliers football team from 1994 to 1996 as a defensive back. He also returned kickoffs sometimes.
During his college career, Barber made 15 interceptions. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) named him Freshman of the Year in 1994. He was also a first-team All-ACC player in all three of his seasons. Barber helped Virginia win the 1994 Independence Bowl and the 1995 Peach Bowl. After his junior year in 1996, he decided to enter the NFL draft. He graduated from Virginia in 1997 with a degree in marketing.
Professional Career Highlights
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9+3⁄8 in (1.76 m) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
31+5⁄8 in (0.80 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
4.66 s | 1.67 s | 2.77 s | 4.46 s | 7.22 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) |
9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
14 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Ronde Barber in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft. His brother, Tiki, was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round. Ronde and Tiki were only the fourth set of twins ever drafted in the same NFL year.
Early Years (1997-2001)
As a rookie in 1997, Barber played in only one game. In 1998, his second season, he started nine games. He recorded 68 tackles, 17 passes defended, and 3 sacks. He also had 2 interceptions. In 1999, he played in all 16 games and started 15. He continued to improve, making 74 tackles and 2 interceptions.
In 2000, Barber started all 16 games for the first time. He had 97 tackles and 5.5 sacks, leading all NFC defensive backs in sacks. He scored his first career touchdown from an interception return. In 2001, he made 71 tackles and 10 interceptions, leading the league. This earned him his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.
Super Bowl Champion (2002)
In 2002, Barber started all 16 games again. He had 79 tackles, 3 sacks, and 17 passes defended. He was a key part of Tampa's defense, which was ranked first in the league. Barber also started all three playoff games, including the Super Bowl XXXVII victory.
In the NFC Championship game, Barber made an amazing play. He intercepted a pass from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. He returned it 92 yards for a touchdown. This play helped seal Tampa's 27-10 victory and sent them to the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXXVII, Tampa beat the Oakland Raiders 48–21.
Continued Success (2003-2008)
Barber continued to be a top player. From 2003 to 2008, he started every regular season game. He consistently had high tackle numbers and made many interceptions.
- In 2003, he had 97 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown against Peyton Manning.
- In 2004, he made 98 tackles and returned two fumbles for touchdowns. He was chosen for his second Pro Bowl.
- In 2005, he had 99 tackles and 5 interceptions. He became the first cornerback in NFL history with at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks. He made his third Pro Bowl.
- In 2006, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in one game. He made his fourth Pro Bowl.
- In 2007, he set a Buccaneers team record for most career interceptions with 32.
- In 2008, he was a team defensive captain. He made his fifth and final Pro Bowl appearance.
Later Career and Retirement (2009-2013)
Barber continued his streak of starting every game. In 2010, he made his 172nd consecutive start, setting a new record for NFL cornerbacks. He also became the only player in NFL history with at least 25 sacks and 40 interceptions.
In 2011, he recorded his first career safety. In 2012, Barber officially changed his position to free safety. He started all 16 games for the 13th straight season. He intercepted 4 passes, including a 78-yard touchdown return. He was the only player left from the Super Bowl XXXVII championship team still playing for the Buccaneers.
On May 8, 2013, Ronde Barber announced his retirement from football. At that time, he had scored 14 defensive touchdowns, which was the most among active players.
NFL Career Statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Underline | Incomplete data |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | AllTD | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBH | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Y/I | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | Y/F | TD | |||
| 1997 | TB | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 0.0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | TB | 16 | 9 | 70 | 59 | 11 | — | — | 3.0 | 0 | — | 2 | 67 | 33.5 | 56 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 | TB | 16 | 15 | 78 | 62 | 16 | 5 | — | 1.0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 60 | 30.0 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | TB | 16 | 16 | 87 | 72 | 15 | 7 | — | 5.5 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 46 | 23.0 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 24.0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2001 | TB | 16 | 16 | 72 | 59 | 13 | 6 | — | 1.0 | 0 | 24 | 10 | 86 | 8.6 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | TB | 16 | 16 | 79 | 67 | 12 | 9 | — | 3.0 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | TB | 16 | 16 | 100 | 81 | 19 | 7 | — | 1.5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 53 | 26.5 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | TB | 16 | 16 | 99 | 84 | 15 | 8 | — | 3.0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005 | TB | 16 | 16 | 99 | 83 | 16 | 2 | — | 2.0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 105 | 21.0 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | TB | 16 | 16 | 100 | 85 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 103 | 34.3 | 66 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | TB | 16 | 16 | 58 | 48 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 33 | 16.5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 | TB | 16 | 16 | 75 | 67 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 2.0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 69 | 17.3 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | TB | 16 | 16 | 77 | 69 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | TB | 16 | 16 | 82 | 66 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 98 | 32.7 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | TB | 16 | 16 | 79 | 67 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | TB | 16 | 16 | 92 | 71 | 21 | 8 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 160 | 40.0 | 78 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 241 | 232 | 1,251 | 1,044 | 207 | 88 | 18 | 28.0 | 1 | 197 | 47 | 923 | 19.6 | 78 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 90 | 7.5 | 4 | 14 | |
- Barber returned a blocked punt for a touchdown. This is officially recognized as a punt return touchdown because the ball traveled past the line of scrimmage.
- Barber did not start the Week 10 game vs the Kansas City Chiefs. His record streak of consecutive starts began in the Week 11 game vs the Atlanta Falcons.
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | FF | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBH | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Y/I | Lng | TD | |||
| 1997 | TB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | TB | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | TB | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | TB | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | TB | 3 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — | 1.0 | 10 | 2 | 117 | 58.5 | 92 | 1 | 2 |
| 2005 | TB | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | TB | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 10 | 9 | 44 | 32 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1.0 | 13 | 2 | 117 | 58.5 | 92 | 1 | 2 | |
NFL and Team Records
Ronde Barber holds several impressive records:
- Most consecutive starts by a defensive back: 215 games.
- Most consecutive starts by a cornerback: 200 games.
- He is the only player in NFL history with more than 45 interceptions and 25 sacks.
For the Buccaneers team, he holds records for:
- Most interceptions in a single season: 10 (in 2001).
- Most interceptions in a career: 47.
- Most passes defended in a career: 197.
- Most non-offensive touchdowns in a career: 14.
- Most starts in a career (any position): 232.
- Most games played in a career (any position): 241.
- Most sacks by a defensive back in a career: 28.
Other Work
After retiring from playing, Ronde Barber joined Fox Sports. He became an NFL color analyst, which means he helps explain the game during broadcasts. He worked on NFL on Fox telecasts.
Since 2004, Ronde Barber has also co-written eight children's books with his brother, Tiki. These books include:
- By My Brother's Side (2004)
- Game Day (2005)
- Teammates (2006)
- Kickoff! (2007)
- Go Long! (2008)
- Wild Card (2009)
- Red Zone (2010)
- Goal Line (2011)
Personal Life
Ronde Barber is the identical twin brother of former NFL running back Tiki Barber.
Ronde Barber lives in Keystone, Florida. In 2001, he married Claudia Patron. They have two daughters named Yammile Rose and Justyce Rosina.
Images for kids
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Barber (shown here in the 2006 Pro Bowl) is a five-time Pro Bowl pick.
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Barber (20) in a 2006 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
