National Football League

Ronde Barber retires after 16 seasons

Published May. 8, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ronde Barber is calling it a career.

The veteran defensive back has decided to retire after 16 seasons in the NFL, all spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, FOXSports.com has learned.

"I've had a better run than I ever could've dreamed of having," Barber said.

Since his arrival as a rookie out of Virginia in 1997, Barber has set himself apart. He was a three-time NFL All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade team.

He also was a part of the Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Barber's retirement concludes his run of consecutive starts at 215, the most in NFL history by a defensive back. He goes out with 47 career interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and 12 touchdowns.