Virginia Alum Ronde Barber Among 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

After three seasons at Virginia where he made first-team All-ACC each year, Ronde Barber had an illustrious NFL career in Tampa Bay. Barber, a third-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, played all 16 of his professional seasons with the Buccanneers, including their Super Bowl-winning 2002 team.

Barber was acknowledged for his career on Tuesday by getting named as one of 15 finalists for the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Other nominees are Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Zach Thomas, Calvin Johnson, Jared Allen, Reggie Wayne, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Alan Faneca, Torry Holt, John Lynch, Clay Matthews Jr., Sam Mills, and Richard Seymour.

Barber made five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his NFL career while also leading the league with 10 interceptions in 2001. Overall, he had 47 interceptions in 241 career games, as well as the second-most career sacks by a defensive back (28). Only Rodney Harrison (30.5) has more career sacks.

Throughout his career at UVA, Barber played with his twin brother, Tiki Barber, a second-round pick in 1997, and three-time Pro Bowler. Both were part of the Hoos’ 1994 Independence Bowl win and 1995 Peach Bowl win.