- published: 12 Jul 2015
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Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber (born April 7, 1975) is an American football cornerback/safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.
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 hurdles as a senior.
Drafted in the third round pick 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 lineup and played little, making a rare appearance in one game in the 1997 season (he did earn the nickel back job in the playoffs). However, Barber had clearly made an impression on the then Bucs Head Coach Tony Dungy, and in his second season Barber started nine games, 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. He is the longest-tenured member of the team. He is the active leader in consecutive starts for a non-kicker, and is tied with London Fletcher for consecutive games played for a non-kicker.