The Professional Football Hall of Fame is set to welcome the Class of 2023 this Saturday. In the lead-up to this momentous event, Yahoo Sports is spotlighting each member of the men’s class, and among them is the former Buccaneers cornerback, Ronde Barber.

After a stellar career that included 16 seasons, a Super Bowl victory, and five Pro-Bowl nominations with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Barber announced his retirement from the NFL in 2013. Despite being a finalist for three consecutive years, it took six years of eligibility for Barber to secure his well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on his journey to the Hall of Fame, Barber expressed his satisfaction, stating, “When you’re in the conversation, you’re in the conversation for a reason. I’m just glad to cross the line.”

Former Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy commented on the delay in Barber’s induction, stating, “It’s a shame that Ronde took this long. But I don’t know of anyone out there who’s played that many games at the corner and still plays at a high level in years 13, 14, 15. It’s crazy.”

One of the defining moments of Barber’s illustrious career was his 92-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2002 NFC Championship Game, a play that sealed the victory for the Buccaneers and propelled them to the Super Bowl.

Describing the impact of Barber’s play, former Tampa Bay safety John Lynch recalled, “You can’t hear a sound. The stadium noise stopped. There was this sweet silence. There was nothing to say.”

Barber himself reflected on the significance of the game, noting, “The big games, they put me on a lot, a lot of responsibility. There’s a lot of technical stuff I have to worry about every game. When you put stuff on me, it gives me more opportunities to make plays. And (Eagles QB) Donovan didn’t learn (McNabb) would never look the other way, so it was only a matter of time until I hit him with something big.”

Barber, Tampa Bay’s career interceptions leader with 47, holds the unique distinction of being the only player in NFL history to make over 200 starts as a cornerback. His durability and leadership were evident in his 215 starts, never missing a game due to injury. The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, praised Barber’s legacy, stating, “Ronde was the embodiment of a true professional, a fierce competitor, and a scholar of the game.”

The induction ceremony on Saturday will mark Barber as the fifth player who spent most or all of his career in Tampa Bay to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Adding a special touch to the occasion, Ronde’s twin brother, former Giants running back Tiki Barber, will be performing at Canton during the ceremony.