Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Shutting Down the Vet
January 19, 2003
There are a few recent plays in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history that could make this list. In his short time in Tampa, Tom Brady made so many memorable plays, but we’re going back to that original great Tampa Bay Buccaneers team for the best play of all time.
After years of being the worst-run franchise in football, the Buccaneers found lightning in a bottle in 2002. They spent years building a superstar defense, and they proved that defense wins championships. Before they dominated the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl, Ronde Barber sent them there, and in doing so, he shut down one of the storied buildings in football.
It was 20-10 with the Buccaneers looking down a Donovan McNabb touchdown drive. He brought them inside the 10 yard line, but he threw it to the wrong guy. Even before the touchdown, Barber was the player of the game, with three tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and three passes defensed. However, when he jumped in front of a pass to Antonio Freeman and sprinted down the field.
The #Bucs will celebrate Ronde Barber's induction into the Hall of Fame in Week 3 when they host the Philadelphia Eagles on MNF.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 22, 2023
Barber's 92-yard pick-6 vs. the Eagles in the 2002 NFC Championship game is one of the most iconic moments in team history.pic.twitter.com/ds4vAAC5nW
In an instant it felt, Barber was 92 yards the other way and in the end zone. Nobody came close to Barber.