Shawn Barber (2005) - Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame

Shawn Barber

Induction:
2005
Class:
1998

One of the most dominating defensive players in Richmond Football history, Shawn Barber enjoyed success at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Barber started 33 games at Richmond and was fourth all-time with 20 sacks. He earned 1997 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year after making 94 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions as a senior. During that season, Barber earned National Defensive Player of the Week after compiling 20 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception and one sack against The Citadel. A decorated student-athlete, Barber earned All-America and All-Conference honors as a junior and senior (1996, 1997).

His pro career began after being selected in the fourth round of the 1998 draft by Washington. During his four years in the nation's capital, Barber amassed 281 tackles, including a career-high 148 in 1999. The linebacker moved to Philadelphia for the 2002 season when he made 119 stops and returned an interception for a touchdown. Barber signed with Kansas City for the 2003 campaign and ranked second on the team with 141 tackles while starting 16 games at outside linebacker. The Richmond, Va. native and Hermitage High School product was playing extremely well again in 2004 before being lost for the season with an injury. He went on to be an NFL Ambassador for Kansas City while also serving as a broadcaster for the Chiefs.