 Barber with theTampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 | |||||||||||||||||
| No. 20 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Defensive back | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1975-04-07)April 7, 1975 (age 50) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 184 lb (83 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Cave Spring(Roanoke) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Virginia (1993–1996) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1997: 3rd round, 66th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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Jamael Orondé Barber (born April 7, 1975) is an American former professionalfootballdefensive back who played 16 seasons in theNational Football League (NFL) with theTampa Bay Buccaneers. He playedcollege football for theVirginia Cavaliers, earning third-teamAll-American honors twice. Barber played thecornerback position for the majority of his career and transitioned tosafety for his final season.
In the1997 NFL draft, the Buccaneers selected Barber in the third round with the 66th overall pick. Over the course of his career, Barber was selected to fivePro Bowls, accumulated three first-teamAll-Pro and two second-team selections. He was selected to theNFL 2000s All-Decade Team. Additionally, he led the NFL ininterceptions in 2001, and he is the Buccaneers all-time interceptions leader. Barber is one of the two members of the 40/20 club (40+ interceptions, 20+ quarterback sacks) alongsideCharles Woodson, and the only member of the 45/25 club (45+ interceptions, 25+ quarterback sacks). He also holds the record formost consecutive starts by a defensive back. Barber was inducted into theVirginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, and was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Barber is the son of Geraldine Barber and James Barber. The Barber twin boys were born five weekspremature.[1] Barber was born seven minutes before his identical twin brotherTiki Barber. He was named Jamael Oronde which means "first born son".[1] Tiki was arunning back who played for theNew York Giants.
James Barber was a star cornerback atVirginia Tech and later played in theWorld Football League. His roommate in college wasBruce Arians. Ronde's parents separated when Barber was very young. James Barber rarely saw his sons when they were growing up, and failed to provide suitable financial support to them.[2] His mother Geraldine worked two, sometimes three jobs to support her three sons.[3] He and Tiki have an older brother, Tarik Barber.[4]
Barber graduated fromCave Spring High School ofRoanoke, Virginia in 1993, and was a standout infootball,wrestling, andtrack. In football, Barber was a three-time All-District selection. In track, Barber won the national title in the55-meter hurdles as a senior in 1993, with a career-best time of 7.18 seconds. He was timed at 14.05 seconds in the110-meter hurdles. He also won four Group AAA hurdles titles in indoor and outdoor track.[5]
Barber received an athletic scholarship to attend theUniversity of Virginia, where he played for theVirginia Cavaliers football team. He redshirted the 1993 season and played for the Cavaliers from the 1994 to 1996 seasons as adefensive back.[6] He was also akick returner in 1994 and 1996; in 1994, Barber returned 10 kickoffs for 171 yards, and in 1996, he returned 3 for 36 yards.[7] As a defensive back, Barber made 15 interceptions returned for 112 yards in his career with Virginia: 8 for 56 yards in 1994, 4 for 18 yards in 1995, and 3 for 38 yards in 1996.[7] TheAtlantic Coast Conference (ACC) recognized Barber as Freshman of the Year after the 1994 season, and Barber earned first-team All-ACC honors in all his three seasons with Virginia.[8] Barber was part of the Virginia teams that won the 1994Independence Bowl and December 1995Peach Bowl. After his junior season in 1996, Barber declared for the1997 NFL draft.[6] Barber graduated from Virginia in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in commerce with an emphasis in marketing.[8] During Barber's time at UVa, he was a member of theIMP Society, one of the university's secret societies.
On January 3, 1997, Barber announced his decision to forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the1997 NFL draft. He became only the third player from the University of Virginia to enter the NFL draft with eligibility remaining.[9]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft9+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 fromNFL Combine[10][11] | ||||||||||||
TheTampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Barber in the third round (66th overall) of the1997 NFL draft.[12] He was the first of two cornerbacks drafted by the Buccaneers in 1997, alongside sixth-round selection (169th overall)Al Harris. He was the tenth cornerback, the third underclassmen, and the fifth of sixth players from Virginia to be selected in 1997. His identical twin brother and college teammate,Tiki Barber, was selected in the second-round (36th overall) by theNew York Giants. They became the fourth set of twins in NFL history to both be selected in one draft, followingRichand Ron Saul(1970),Reggieand Raleigh McKenzie(1985), andKeithand Kerry Cash(1991).[13][14]
On July 18, 1997, theTampa Bay Buccaneers signed Barber to a three—year, $939,250 rookiecontract that included asigning bonus of $405,000.[15]
As a rookie, Barber played only one game, in week 5 (September 28) against theArizona Cardinals. Barber had three tackles.[16] Tampa advanced to thedivisional round of the playoffs but lost to theGreen Bay Packers.[17]
In his second season, Barber started nine games (three as left cornerback and six as right cornerback) and played in all 16 games, recording 68 tackles, 17passes deflected, 3sacks, 2 interceptions (returned for 67 yards), 2 forced fumbles, and 12special teams tackles.[16][18]
In the 1999 season, Barber again played in all 16 games and started 15 as right cornerback. Improving from his previous seasons, Barber posted 74 tackles, two interceptions (60 yards), one sack, and 16 passes deflected.[16][18] Making his postseason debut this season, Barber also started both playoff games; the Buccaneers lost theNFC Championship game to eventualSuper Bowl XXXIV championSt. Louis Rams.[16][19]
On February 10, 2000, theTampa Bay Buccaneers re–signed Barber to a one—year, $552,000 contract.[15]
For the first time in his career, Barber started all 16 games in a season in 2000. Barber reached new career bests with 97 tackles, 20 passes deflected, and 5.5 sacks. With his 5.5 sacks, Barber led all NFC defensive backs in sacks. He had two interceptions (46 yards), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and six special teams tackles.[16][18] For the week 2 (September 10) game, Barber was NFC Defensive Player of the Week for 3 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a 24-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against theChicago Bears.[16] Picking and returning for 37 yards a pass from former Tampa quarterbackVinny Testaverde, Barber scored his first career touchdown from an interception return in the week 4 (September 24) 21–17 loss to theNew York Jets.[18][20] In theWild Card game on December 31, a 21–3 loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles, Barber made 5 tackles.[16]
On April 9, 2001, theTampa Bay Buccaneers signed Barber to a six—year, $20.25 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $2.55 million.[21][15]
In 2001, Barber started 16 of 16 regular season games and made 71 tackles, 1 sack, 14 passes deflected, and 10 interceptions (86 yards).[18] Barber returned an intercepted pass fromAaron Brooks 36 yards for a touchdown in the week 15 (December 23) win over theNew Orleans Saints.[22] Barber made his firstPro Bowl andAll-Pro teams this season.[16]
Starting all 16 games again this season, Barber made 79 tackles, 3 sacks, 17 passes deflected, and returned 2 interceptions for 9 yards.[18] Barber was part of a Tampa secondary that ranked first in total defense and passes defended.[16] Barber also started all three playoff games, including Tampa'sSuper Bowl XXXVII victory.[16]
In the NFC Championship game on January 19, 2003, Barber picked off a pass fromPhiladelphia Eagles quarterbackDonovan McNabb and returned the interception 92 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal Tampa's 27–10 road victory and broughtVeterans Stadium to near-silence.[23][24][25] Bob Ford ofThe Philadelphia Inquirer labeled this game as "the most ignominious defeat ofAndy Reid's head coaching career" because of Barber's interception return.[26] In 2011,Tampa Bay Times sportswriter Rick Stroud ranked Barber's interception return for touchdown in the NFC Championship game as the greatest scoring play in team history.[24] Barber also deflected 4 passes in that game.[27] In Tampa's 48–21 victory over theOakland Raiders inSuper Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003, Barber made five tackles.[27]
For the fourth consecutive season, Barber started all 16 regular season games.[16] Barber again continued to make more tackles annually with 97 this season. Additionally, Barber deflected 3 passes, returned 2 interceptions for 53 yards, and forced 3 fumbles.[18] In week 5 (October 6), a 38–35 overtime loss to theIndianapolis Colts, Barber returned an intercepted pass fromPeyton Manning 29 yards for a touchdown.[28]
Starting all 16 regular-season games, Barber made 98 tackles, 3 sacks, 10 passes defended, 3 interceptions returned for 23 yards, and 2 forced fumbles. He also returned 2 fumbles for touchdowns.[18] Chosen as a starter for the2005 Pro Bowl, Barber made his second career Pro Bowl appearance. This season, Barber also earned first-team All-Pro honors from theAssociated Press. For the second time since the 2002 Super Bowl championship season, Tampa's pass defense was number one in the league, and Tampa's total defense was in the top ten for the eighth straight season.[16]
Barber had 99 tackles, 2 sacks, 15 passes defended, and 5 interceptions returned for 105 yards in 16 games (all starts) in 2005.[18] Barber intercepted three passes (returned for 70 yards) from Saints quarterbackAaron Brooks on December 4 (week 13) in Tampa's 10–3 win over New Orleans, including one in the end zone in the Saints' final drive.[29] On December 11, in the week 14 game against theCarolina Panthers, he became the first cornerback in the history of the NFL to record at least 20interceptions and 20sacks in his career.[30] Tampa lost the Wild Card game 17–10 to theWashington Redskins, and Barber made 8 tackles that game.[31] Barber made his third career Pro Bowl appearance in the2006 Pro Bowl.[16]
On August 2, 2006, theTampa Bay Buccaneers signed Barber to a five—year, $24 million contract extension that included an initial signing bonus of $6 million.[32][15]
In 2006, starting 16 of 16 regular-season games, Barber had 98 tackles and 13 passes deflected. He also returned 3 interceptions for 103 yards; two of those interceptions Barber returned for touchdowns.[18] On October 22 (week 7) against Philadelphia, Barber became the first player in Buccaneers history to return two interceptions for touchdowns in one regular-season game.[16] After Barber scored in the second quarter on a 37-yard return of an interception from Donovan McNabb, Tampa took a 17–0 lead late in the third quarter with Barber's 66-yard interception return of a McNabb pass. Despite a late comeback by the Eagles, Tampa won 23–21 on a last-second 62 yardfield goal byMatt Bryant.[33] Barber made his fourth career and third consecutive Pro Bowl in the2007 Pro Bowl.[16]
Prior to the season, the team voted Barber as defensive captain.[16] In 16 games, Barber made 58 tackles, one sack, 14 passes deflected, 2 interceptions returned for 32 yards (including a 29-yard touchdown run), and one forced fumble.[18] On November 25, 2007, he took the record fromDonnie Abraham for the most interceptions in Buccaneers team history by catching his 32nd against theWashington Redskins.[34] In a 37–3 victory over theAtlanta Falcons on week 15 (December 16), Barber returned an interception ofChris Redman 29 yards for a touchdown.[35]
In 2008, starting 16 of 16 regular season games for the ninth straight season, Barber made 75 tackles, 2 sacks, 12 passes defended, and 4 interceptions returned for 69 yards (including a 65-yard return for touchdown).[18] Again a team defensive captain, Barber made his fifth career and most recent Pro Bowl appearance in the2009 Pro Bowl.[36] In the week 12 (November 23), a 38–20 win over the hostingDetroit Lions, Barber intercepted Lions quarterbackDaunte Culpepper twice and returned one interception 65 yards for a touchdown.[37]
In the 2009 regular season, Barber made 77 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles in 16 games (all starts). However, for the first time since his 1997 rookie season, Barber did not intercept a pass the entire season.[18] Barber had some crucial plays on special teams: in week 4 (October 4) against theWashington Redskins, Barber blocked anextra point kick byShaun Suisham.[38] In the week 9 win over theGreen Bay Packers, Barber returned a punt blocked byGeno Hayes 31 yards for a tying touchdown.[39] Along withTony Dungy,Derrick Brooks, andWarren Sapp, Barber was voted to theNFL 2000s All-Decade Team prior to the2010 Pro Bowl.[40]
Barber made 82 tackles, defended 13 passes, and returned 3 interceptions for 98 yards in 16 games.[41] With his 172nd consecutive start in week 6 (October 17), Barber surpassedDick LeBeau formost consecutive starts by an NFL cornerback and played in his 200th career game two weeks later.[42] On November 21, 2010, Barber became the only player in NFL history with at least 25 sacks (26 total) and 40 interceptions with a 21–0 win over the San Francisco 49ers.[43]
On February 22, 2011, theTampa Bay Buccaneers re–signed Barber to a one—year, $4 million contract.[15][44]
Starting all 16 games as a right cornerback, Barber had 79 tackles, 9 passes defended, 1 safety, and 3 interceptions returned for 12 yards.[18][45] On October 23 (week 7), in anNFL International Series game against theChicago Bears held in London, England, Barber recorded his first careersafety when he tackledMatt Forte in the end zone.[46]
On March 21, 2012, theTampa Bay Buccaneers signed Barber to a one—year, $3 million contract.[15][44]
On May 15, 2012, Barber officially switched positions to become afree safety.[47][48] Barber started all 16 games for the 13th straight season and had 91 tackles, 13 passes defended, 4 interceptions returned for 160 yards, and a forced fumble.[18] On week 6 (October 14) against theKansas City Chiefs, Barber intercepted a pass fromBrady Quinn and returned the interception 78 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter and also blocked a punt.[49]
In this season's roster, Barber was the only member of the Super Bowl XXXVII championship team still active with the team.[50] Responding to media speculation about retirement, Barber commented in December: "I'm not ready to make a decision on it. I'm pretty sure it will play itself out when the time comes."[51]
On May 8, 2013, Barber announced his retirement.[52] At the time of his retirement, he was the active leader in defensive touchdowns scored, with 14.
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Underline | Incomplete data |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
In 2010, Barber appeared on the satirical sports showThe Onion Sportsdome.[53]
After his retirement, Barber joinedFox Sports as an NFLcolor analyst.[54] From 2013 to 2019 he calledNFL on Fox telecasts withChris Myers andKenny Albert, and contributed to studio programming onFox Sports 1.
Since 2004, Ronde Barber has co-written eight children's books with his brotherTiki:
He is the identical twin brother of former NFL running backTiki Barber.
Ronde Barber lives inKeystone, Florida. In Spring 2001 he marriedFilipino American Claudia Patron.[55][56] She was a marketing and event planner. She is now with Diabetic Charitable Services.[1] They have two daughters Yammile Rose and Justyce Rosina.[8] On Saturday May 3, 2025, Ronde was the commencement speaker and received an honorary doctorate fromFlorida Southern College.[57]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
