“His Rightful Destination”
March 12th, 2025
Bucs Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber.
Rondé Barber stopped short of saying a mistake was made.
The iconic Bucs cornerback visited The Jay Recher Podcast and was asked about his old ball coach, Jon Gruden, being reinstated into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.
The announcement came last month, as Team Glazer changed course on a decision made about 3 1/2 years ago to kick Chucky out of the Ring of Honor for email crimes against decency that included naughty comments about Roger Goodell and a Glazer.
Barber feels a wrong was righted.
“The initial reaction was one that I think kind of shocked a lot of people. We all know Jon, and he’s not what people portrayed him to be,” Barber said. “So I think the Glazers have done a great job here, you know, re-engaging with him. The business side of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers [is] doing a great job getting him back involved in the things that happen at One Buc Place. And having him back in the Ring of Honor feels like his rightful destination.”
Barber went on to laud Gruden, noting “he changed the course of this franchise.”
Joe’s been asked a few times about whether Gruden will have another ceremony to go back in the Ring. Joe highly doubts that would happen.
It would make little sense and likely be embarrassing. Joe suspects Chucky’s name will re-appear for the first preseason game in August.