by Shawn Nowlin
Since its inception in 1920, approximately 27,000 men have played in the National Football League (NFL). To date, just 371 members, or 0.01 percent, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Roanoke’s own Jamael Oronde “Ronde” Barber recently received the Hall of Fame door knock from Derrick Brooks, a former teammate, and 2014 inductee.
Barber’s road from the Star City to Canton, Ohio, was filled with tremendous obstacles and triumph accomplishments, but every step along the way, Barber knew he had loved ones, friends, and supporters tirelessly rooting him on.
Barber and his identical twin brother, Tiki, were born five weeks premature to Geraldine Barber and Daniel Brack in April 1975. From the moment he first put on a pair of cleats, Barber says he fell in love with the game of football.
At Cave Spring High, Barber did everything at an elite level. A standout in the classroom and the gridiron, by the time he entered his senior year, colleges from all over the country were recruiting him to represent their institution. To the elation of many in the community, both Barber brothers elected to attend the University of Virginia (UVA).
A three-year letterman, Barber’s dominant career at UVA ultimately propelled him into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. So dominant was Barber in college that the school retired his no. 19 jersey. Several of Barber’s college teammates went on to play in the NFL, most notably his brother. In 1997, Barber graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce with an emphasis in marketing.
Selected in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 66th overall pick, it didn’t take long for Barber to make an impact for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his fourth season, he started every game and led all NFC defensive backs in sacks. In the biggest game of his career, Super Bowl XXXVII, Barber registered five tackles.
Barber’s 16 years as a professional speaks for themselves: Super Bowl Champion (2002), 3X First-team All-pro (2001, 2004, 2005), 2X Second team (2002, 2006), NFL interceptions co-leader (2001), NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor. Only one player in NFL history has at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks: Ronde Barber.
The Hall of Fame call was a long time coming. On Jan. 17, a 49-person selection committee met to vote on the 19 finalists. Joining Barber in this year’s class are linebacker DeMarcus Ware, linebacker Zach Thomas, linebacker Chuck Howley, offensive tackle Joe Thomas, cornerback Darrell Revis, cornerback Ken Riley (deceased), defensive lineman Joe Klecko and coach Don Coryell (deceased).
A high school football player has a better chance of getting struck by lightning than making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite all that he has accomplished professionally and personally, Barber never forgot about his Roanoke roots. Today, he lives in Florida with his wife Claudia Patron, a marketing and event planner, and they have two daughters Yammile Rose and Justyce Rosina.
Over the last two decades, Ronde and his brother have co-written eight children’s books: By My Brother’s Side (2004), Game Day (2005), Teammates (2006), Kickoff! (2007), Go Long! (2008), Wild Card (2009), Red Zone (2010), and Goal Line (2011).
