Rondé Barber: No Way Benjamin Morrison Gets No. 20
April 30th, 2025
“Hey rookie, start worrying about Josh Hayes, instead.”
For the vast majority of Bucs fans, mention the No. 20 and they immediately think of former Bucs corner and Hall of Famer Rondé Barber.
And in Barber’s mind, that’s the way it will stay.
When the Bucs drafted Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round Friday, given that Morrison wore No. 20 at Notre Dame, there was some chatter among Bucs fans that Morrison would have to pay off Barber to bring No. 20 out of mothballs.
Not happening, Barber said on his WFLA.com-hosted show.
“Benjamin Morrison, I love him,” Barber said on the second episode of The Rondé Barber Show, before playfully adding, “He’s not getting my number, by the way. Just putting that out there right now.”
It’s become something of a fad the past few years when players get drafted to beg/bribe a retired player with a sacred number to let the rookie wear the same number.
Sometimes, like in the case of Cam Ward and Hall of Fame quarterback and former Oilers star (the precursor to the Titans) Warren Moon, the old Oilers quarterback said sure.
With Abdul Carter and Lawrence Taylor, the legendary LT told Carter to get lost.
So it appears Morrison will have to come up with a new number other than No. 20.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
Yea Barber number is retired HOF and no one should ever wear that number again. Still my favorite Buc of all time.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Who assumed he wanted it ?
April 30th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Barber is the only true #20 in Bucs history.
He earned that in a HOF career.
No one gave it to him.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
The problem with retired numbers is that there are only so many of them you can have before you run out of numbers. The Bears and the Giants both share the NFL lead in retired numbers with 14.
Those teams have been in the league since 1922 and 1925, respectively.
Add to the fact that the NFL has a 53 man active roster, and allows as many as 70 total players on the team (if you have an International Pathway Program player on the practice squad). Do the math on that… 70 players doesn’t leave a lot of room for retired numbers.
That’s not to say that Barber is wrong in wanting to be the only #20 remembered for the Bucs, but let’s also recognize the reality of the mathematics here… eventually there will be another one or the league will start having to put number 100+ on jerseys.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Ds… it was his college number. Plenty of room for retired numbers. 29 per team. 20, 55, 99, 40, 63… if you know who the guy is just by the number, he earned it.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
@view #47 *coughs*
April 30th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Make your own legacy number! I vaguely remember a story when LVD was drafted, and the coaching staff told him something similar with regards to #55.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
I’ve never understood asking for a retired number. Your attitude should be to pick a number and make sure that no one will ever wear it again after you.
April 30th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
I think this is a jerk move by Ronde.
April 30th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
He can use 20.5
April 30th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
55, 63, 99, 47, 20. All worthy of retirement.
However, unless they go to triple digits, eventually they run out of numbers.
I think the number should be retired for exactly 25 years. That’s long enough.
April 30th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Hope Morrison wears 22—like 20, version 2.0
Ronde Barber set the tone. Now it’s Morrison’s turn to carry it forward hopefully he can be half as good. Better? Bucs should win multiple Super Bowls if that turns out to be true .
April 30th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
I do believe that there are 91 players on the Buccaneers roster during training camp. Some sacred numbers HAVE to be used, don’t they…
April 30th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Warren moon was NEVER a Titan. He was a Houston Oiler. That makes a bit if difference. For a Rookie to even ask is about as disrespectful as you can get.
Haven’t taken a single snap in the league and think that you are worthy to wear it? FU. L.T. says F.U. As he should.
By the way. Titans have drafted the most QB’s since 2010 (Tie).
3 QB’s in first Round. Vince Young 2006 #3 , Jake Locker 2011 #8 and Marcus
Mariotta 2015 #2
Titans have made Playoffs 6 times in the last 19 years. Once with Young and once with Mariotta.
Seahawks, Steelers, and Browns all got a better selection than Ward. I doubt Will Howard or Jalen Milroe will ask to wear the #12.
April 30th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
I say if you’re a UFA, you can have a three-digit number.
If you make the team, then they’ll give you two digit number… and since you weren’t drafted, you’re the last to choose a number. Problem solved.😆
If Godwin, and established star, can change his number for Brady, I think some rookie out of college can pick a new number.
April 30th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Morale will not improve until we get more retired numbers!
April 30th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
They should give him 02.
April 30th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
20, 63, 54, 55, 56, 99
Those numbers are taken.
April 30th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Moon should have said no. Ward should not have even asked. Hate seeing that
April 30th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Would they let him use 02? If not, wear #2.
April 30th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
I agree with KABucs and the point made about Chris giving up his number for TB12.
Nothing against Benjamin, but he can choose another number.
Ronde has earned it.
April 30th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
There is plenty of numbers available. HOF players numbers shouldn’t be even be in discussion! If need be a player could duplicate a number on the opposite side of the ball like they do in college when necessary.
April 30th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
The Cam Ward and Warren Moon dynamic is interesting. In actuality, Moon was a Houston Oiler and will always be identified as such, whereas Ward is a Tennessee Titan – he was also a first-round pick, and I bet Moon can identify with his journey
April 30th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Damn right he will that 20 is iconic
April 30th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Both Barber brothers are Ego Ego Ego , full of allot of Ego with a lil abrasivness
They Were both great players !!
April 30th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
Meanwhile in Cleveland, shedeur sanders is demanding Jim Brown’s number 32.
April 30th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
63, 55, 99, 47, 20, 54, 13 and hopefully 6 are taken. Find another number.
April 30th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
I agree with TBBucFan. Pick another number, and let your new number become retired with great play, and loyalty to the Bucs.
We should not disrespect Rhonde, or any HOF in the hopes that they will be kept in the roster. How many rookie hopefuls lasted long enough to be remembered? Greatness is earned. So earn it rookie, with your new number.
April 30th, 2025 at 8:50 pm
The kid would be dumb to wear #20 anyway. He’d just put a bulleye on his back.
Every bad play, every disappointment would be magnified because it would be compared to a Buc great.
April 30th, 2025 at 9:15 pm
can’t touch 47……and soon enough 13 & 54
April 30th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
No rookie should ever ask for, or expect a retired HOF number. Especially with the numbering restrictions relaxed a few years ago
April 30th, 2025 at 10:29 pm
63,55,99,20,54,47,13,78
April 30th, 2025 at 10:56 pm
I’m not Ronde lol, but if I were, I’d tell Morrison “If you want MY NUMBER 20, you’re going to have to earn it, over your Rookie Contract. If your play has been exceptional and they give you a second contract, that’s when we’ll talk. Now get out of my office rook and go to work. My door is always open if you need me.”
May 1st, 2025 at 12:31 am
I think retiring numbers is dumb. You only have 0-99 and you can do what Dallas does with it’s WR and the number 88. Similar to soccer. Your number is depending on your position. You gotta stand out if you wanna be rembered
May 1st, 2025 at 2:11 am
Fad? I agree with Ronde on this! No freaking way! I wonder what the rookie thinks? I doubt he cares near as much as some of the so called fans clamoring to give him Ronde’s number. I doubt many of them ever watched Ronde play.
As long as they don’t give him a camp meat number. LOL
Geez
Go Bucs!
May 1st, 2025 at 9:16 am
Bro you played 50 years!!!
May 1st, 2025 at 10:33 am
I think Egbuka may have a claim on #2
May 1st, 2025 at 11:37 am
Definitely NOT a ‘rookie’ and a 2nd-Rounder, at that! But, maybe you do in order to help with signing a STUD in free-agency!
May 1st, 2025 at 1:33 pm
These guys holding on to Jersey numbers so childish