TAMPA — Two former Bucs stars, safety John Lynch and cornerback Ronde Barber, are among 25 semifinalists on next year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot.
The list will be trimmed to 15 finalists in January. Final balloting will take place just before the Super Bowl.
Lynch has been a finalist the past six years. This is Barber’s third year as a semifinalist.
Lynch, currently the general manager of a San Francisco 49ers team that visits Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection who logged 26 career interceptions and 16 forced fumbles. He played 11 of his 15 seasons with Tampa Bay.
Barber, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, is the only player in NFL history to record at least 45 interceptions and at least 25 sacks. He is the Bucs’ all-time interceptions leader with 47.
Former Bucs defensive tackles Lee Roy Selmon and Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and head coach Tony Dungy are the only former Buccaneers currently enshrined in Canton.
Contact Eduardo A. Encina at [email protected] Follow @EddieInTheYard.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even LeBron James can’t ignore the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hype – The Pewter Plank
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LeSean McCoy on Super Bowl, Tom Brady and Signing with Buccaneers – Buccaneers.com
