By Andrew Ramspacher, fpa5up@virginia.edu
The University of Virginia will be represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a fifth time.
1997 Commerce alum Ronde Barber, who starred at UVA in the mid-1990s before becoming a stalwart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ legendary defenses of the 2000s, will soon join former Cavaliers Bill Dudley, Henry Jordan, Earle “Greasy” Neale, and Ralph Wilson Jr. The news was revealed Thursday night at an NFL event in Phoenix, AZ, three days ahead of Super Bowl LVII.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Barber is the only player with more than 40 interceptions and 25 sacks in an NFL career. The Defensive Back is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in interceptions (47) and defensive touchdowns (12). In 2010, Barber was named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team. He helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2002-2003.
The Roanoke, VA, native was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in all three of his seasons at UVA. His 15 career interceptions are the third-most in Wahoo history.
Barber will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Aug. 5 in Canton, OH.
This story was originally published on UVA Today Feb. 10, 2023.
