Former NFL cornerback Ronde Barber is getting his call to Canton in 2023. The Tampa Bay legend was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro whose career spanned from 1997 to 2012.
Barber's twin, Tiki, also had an illustrious NFL career. Tiki Barber played from 1997 to 2006, all with the Giants, and had three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro appearance himself.
Tiki's retirement came, to some, a bit before his time. He played just 10 seasons before his abrupt retirement in 2006 and he has been eligible since 2012. However, he hasn't and likely won't join his twin brother in Canton.
Tiki, who recently joined WFAN The Fan to replace longtime host Craig Carton, is undoubtedly in the Hall of Very Good. But does he have a Hall of Fame resume?
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The Sporting News looks back on Barber's career with the Giants.
Tiki Barber stats
Every Hall of Fame resume has to begin with the stats. After all, a player has to stand out among his peers if he's going to be considered. It's the Hall of Fame. Not the Hall of Average.
Barber had 2,217 career carries for 10,449 yards and 55 touchdowns. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his career. Barber also 586 catches for 5,183 yards and 12 more touchdowns.
The running back played for the Giants throughout his NFL career.
Tiki Barber career totals
| Carries | Rush YDS | Yards/Carry | Rush TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs | Yards/Scrimmage | Total TDs |
| 2,217 | 10,449 | 4.7 | 55 | 586 | 5,183 | 12 | 15,632 | 67 |
Here's a look at where Barber ranks in NFL history among running backs.
- Carries: 33rd
- Yards: 27th
- Rush TDs: 63rd
None of these totals on their own induct Barber, but they should have him in the conversation. His carries put him around Earl Campbell, yards has him over the likes of Terrell Davis, and touchdowns are just a bit shy of the likes of O.J. Simpson.
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Tiki's twin brother wants him in the Hall of Fame as well:
Now they’ll know!! I’m gonna keep saying it!! No question @TikiBarber is a HOFer! https://t.co/y9CWVCQQLi
— Rondé Barber (@rondebarber) February 10, 2023
The case is there, but it certainly a slam dunk. Not everyone around Barber is a Hall of Famer. But it's an interesting discussion.
Tiki Barber career accolades
Where Barber falls short is in the accolades category.
He made three Pro Bowls, had just one All-Pro appearance, and didn't win a Super Bowl. Barber says he's at peace with the lattermost point. In fact, he thinks his retirement ushered in a Super Bowl win for the Giants.
"People want to judge my career based on my lack of a championship," Barber said back in 2012, per Bleacher Report. "And it's really interesting, because if you look at all the great Giants in the history of the Giants, they all have championships except for me. I think I stand alone in that regard."
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That's an interesting perspective, but Barber believes his retirement ushered in a Giants Super Bowl.
"I don't have regrets because I left for a reason," Barber said of his departure from the NFL. "I wasn't willing to commit to the time and the effort that I had to spend in offseasons to prepare ... People don't want to hear it, but if I played, I don't think they would have went to the Super Bowl. Because the dynamics of the team shifted when I left, and Eli became that guy who had to take all the pressure on his back. And at the time, incorrectly, I didn't think he could handle it. And that's famously exploited in New York media."
Ultimately, a Super Bowl may have bolstered Barber's resume. But he's right that him staying undoubtedly would have had a butterfly effect.
How long is Hall of Fame eligibility?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a generous eligibility period: Any time after five years of retirement.
Barber was eligible in 2012, and he will remain eligible. The window is very much open. Zach Thomas is being inducted this year after retiring in 2010 and Ronde is being inducted after retiring in 2012. Players from Tiki's era still get inducted, but it would depend on the class.
