Ronde Barber

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Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber (pronounced /RON-day/) (born April 7, 1975 in Blacksburg, Virginia) is an American football player who currently plays cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. He is the identical twin brother of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber.

On December 11, 2005, in a game against the Carolina Panthers, he became the first cornerback in the history of the NFL to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career. He became the ninth member of the 20/20 Club, joining linebackers Jack Ham, Donnie Edwards, Seth Joyner, Wilber Marshall, William Thomas and Ray Lewis and safeties Rodney Harrison and LeRoy Butler. He is the only cornerback in the group.

A highly cerebral athlete, Barber excels in zone coverage. He is also an outspoken and articulate player who would often act as the Bucs' speaker in post-game press conferences.

He is now the Buccaneers' all-time interceptions leader after intercepting Redskins' quarterback Jason Campbell in week 12 of the 2007 season for his 32nd career interception.

[edit] High school years

Barber attended Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and was a standout in football, wrestling, and track. In football, he was a three time All-District selection. In track, he won the national title in the 55 meter dash as a senior.

[edit] NFL career

Barber was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of the University of Virginia. His brother Tiki was also drafted the same year, but went a round earlier than Ronde to the New York Giants. In his first season with the Bucs, Barber was unable to force his way into the starting lineup and spent most of his playing time on special teams, while making rare appearances in the secondary as he started only one game in the 1997 season. However, Barber had clearly made an impression on the then Bucs Head Coach Tony Dungy, and in his second season Barber started all 16 games of the season, recording 81 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. On November 25, 2007, he took the record from Donnie Abraham for the most interceptions in Buccaneers team history by catching his 32nd against the Washington Redskins.

Barber played for the Bucs in their Super Bowl XXXVII 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders. In the NFC Championship Game, with the Bucs holding on 20-10 and the Eagles driving within the 20 yard line with less than 4 minutes in the game, Barber intercepted a Donovan McNabb pass and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown, securing a spot for the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.

On October 22nd, 2006, while playing against the Philadelphia Eagles, Barber tied the record for most interception returns for touchdowns in a game with two.

[edit] External links

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio