By Ernie Washington Cavalier Daily Associate Editor Nine years after receiving their diplomas, twins Tiki and Ronde Barber returned to Charlottesville for arguably their greatest achievement: A $1 million donation to the University of Virginia.
But with all their work off the field, it can be easy to forget that both brothers still excel on the gridiron.
After being honored as co-male athletes of the year out of Cave Spring High School in Roanoke County, Va., the Barbers decided to attend The University of Virginia even though their parents attended Virginia Tech. Tiki and Ronde helped guide Virginia to a share of the 1995 ACC Championship. Tiki was also the 1996 ACC Player of the Year, and Ronde was a three-time All-ACC first-team performer. Tiki is second on the Virginia career rushing yards list behind Thomas Jones, while Ronde's 15 career interceptions stands two behind Keith McMeans' school record. Ronde is appreciative of what Virginia has provided both of them.
"U.Va. gave us an opportunity," Ronde said. "U.Va. has prepared us for life, and I am glad that I am prepared. The opportunities are there for you because of the depth and the things that we did."
Both brothers have gone on to make even bigger impacts in the NFL. Ronde was a third-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After playing mostly special teams his rookie year, he ended up being named a starter at cornerback in his second season and has not given up his starting spot. Ronde is a four-time NFL All-Pro and also played a key role on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII championship team.
Tiki, a second round pick by the New York Giants, already holds the New York Giants' career total yards, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns records. A two-time Pro Bowler, Tiki has also played in a Super Bowl -- his Giants were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. Tiki attributes his NFL success to skills that he learned while in Charlottesville.
"I am not the biggest, I am not the fastest, but I do consider myself one of the smartest, and I think about the game and the critical way of approaching football," Tiki said. "You learn this at U.Va., especially in the McIntire School of Commerce. You are forced in real life settings to make decisions and adjust on the run. I did that in class here, and I do it on the football field."
While Ronde has little intentions of retiring soon, Tiki has not closed the door on that being an option after this season.
"There are a lot of opportunities that I am looking at right now," Tiki said. "Football has been great for me, but I have started to do other things. This University has prepared me to be a diversified person, and I'm kind of excited to go diversify."
There is no question, however, that both Barbers have represented the University of Virginia proudly on and off the field.
"I think we get treated differently as professional football players because we went to the University of Virginia," Tiki said. "There is an expectation; there is an assumption about the character of people who leave this University. Not just athletes, but anyone."
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