Bruce Arians, Ronde Barber connection goes way back

Long before either of them donned the Red & Pewter, Bruce Arians and Ronde Barber were just another set of friendly neighbors.

Arians, now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a college roommate of Barber's father. They eventually became babysitters for the future Bucs legend, who will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor during Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

When asked for his favorite memories of Barber, Arians went all the way back to the beginning.

"Just watching them being born, Tiki and Ronde," Arians said Tuesday. "They lived right down the street, not even down the street, just over the hill. We bought condominiums right next to each other. We were roommates at college. Very, very close."

The Arians and Barber families developed a trusting bond, which led to leaving Ronde in their care when his twin brother would have to make frequent hospital visits.

"We always babysat Ronde, because Tiki was always in the hospital," Arians said. "He always had convulsions, so we'd have Ronde, just bouncing around and playing."

The downside to such a long-standing relationship? Blackmail-worthy photos of Arians' younger days.

"He's got some really ugly pictures of me with some bad hair."

Arians has kept tabs on his younger neighbors throughout the years, and beams with pride at the honor coming Barber's way this Sunday. He also makes it clear there should be more accolades to follow.

"Followed them throughout their entire careers," Arians said of the Barber twins. "Couldn't be more proud of both of them. But for (Ronde) to get into the Ring of Honor, which is . . . that's huge. And I think a gold jacket shouldn't be far off."