Bucs’ CB Barber Listed As HOF Finalist

Legendary Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber has been named as a 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Finalist for the third year in a row. Barber was one of 15 players selected for consideration. Former Buc Darrelle Revis, who played one season with the Bucs in 2013, is also a finalist in his first year of eligibility.

Barber’s History With The Bucs

Barber has been eligible for the Hall of Fame for the last six years. The Super Bowl champion revolutionized the nickel cornerback position for years in Tampa Bay. Barber is widely recognized as one of the greatest defensive playmakers of all time. In fact, he’s the only player in NFL history with at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks. Barber finished his career with 47 picks and 28 sacks. Impossibly, Barber scored 14 non-offensive touchdowns in his career. Only three players have ever scored more.

He made five Pro Bowls, had three First Team All-Pro selections and won a Super Bowl. His 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2002 NFC Championship Game to send the Bucs to their first Super Bowl is an iconic moment in both franchise and NFL history.

Legendary Bucs CB Ronde Barber: Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Barber’s longevity was unprecedented, too. Not only did he set Bucs records with 241 games played and 232 games started, but he also finished his career with 215 consecutive starts. Those 215 straight starts included 200 straight at cornerback, which is an NFL record.

Should Barber finally get the call, which he absolutely deserves, he’d be the fifth player in the Hall of Fame to have spent most or all of their career with the Bucs. He would join Lee Roy Selmon, as well as former teammates Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch.

On the Pewter Report Podcast, we have talked multiple times about why Barber should be in the Hall of Fame. He’s been listed on various Bucs’ Mount Rushmore as one of the greatest players in franchise history and was taken early in the Bucs’ all-time team draft on an episode of the podcast during the bye week this season.

Like every year, it’s always a tough class to get through to reach the Hall of Fame. Given his accolades over his career, there are not many others more deserving than Barber to achieve this honor. The league will announce the class of 2023 at the NFL Honors show in Arizona on Saturday, February 11, which is one day before Super Bowl LVII.