DeMarcus Ware, one of the most dominant pass rushers in NFL history, is in Lake Tahoe this week participating in the prestigious American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Despite a challenging first round, there was a noticeable glow on his face as he shared his excitement about his upcoming enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 5th.
Reflecting on his induction, Ware revealed an interesting twist to how he discovered the news. To his surprise, it was none other than Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who orchestrated the surprising revelation.
Recalling the moment, Ware explained, “I was fooled. My assistant told me we were going to a photo shoot for the NFL… When we arrived at Jerry Jones’ office, I casually walked in and was startled to find Jerry wearing a gold jacket. Confused, I spotted Jim Porter and noticed the Hall of Fame crest. That’s when he said, ‘DeMarcus Ware, welcome to the 2023 Hall of Fame Class.’ I was still trying to process it all.”
The emotional impact of the moment hit Ware when Jones touched him on the shoulder and congratulated him. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Ware recalled, “I completely lost it. It felt as if my entire soul had left my body. It was an incredibly profound experience.”
While Ware had suspected his induction would happen at some point, given his legendary career, including his crucial role in the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers, the element of surprise orchestrated by Jones made the moment even more memorable.
With 138.5 career sacks, ranking ninth in NFL history, Ware’s excellence as a pass rusher is unquestionable. His nine Pro Bowl selections, including seven consecutively from 2006 to 2012, and eight All-Pro honors further solidify his standing as one of the game’s greats.
Throughout his 13-year career, Ware consistently exemplified what it means to be a team player, but now he realizes it’s time to embrace the individual spotlight. “This is the first time I’ve had to think about myself and share it with the world,” he acknowledged.
The Business Press 