News in Brief: Former UVA Star Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame

February 10, 2023
Illustration of a stopwatch overlaying the field in Scott Stadium

The University of Virginia will be represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a fifth time.

Ronde Barber, who starred at UVA in the mid-1990s before becoming a stalwart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ legendary defenses of the 2000s, will soon join former Cavaliers Bill Dudley, Henry Jordan, Earle “Greasy” Neale and Ralph Wilson Jr. The news was revealed Thursday night at a National Football League event in Phoenix, three days ahead of Super Bowl LVII.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Barber is the only player with more than 40 interceptions and 25 sacks in an NFL career. The defensive back is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in interceptions (47) and defensive touchdowns (12). In 2010, Barber was named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team. He helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title in 2002-03.

The Roanoke native was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in all three of his seasons at UVA. His 15 career interceptions are the third-most in Wahoo history.

Barber graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce in 1997. He’ll be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.

Media Contact

Andrew Ramspacher

University News Associate University Communications