Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gets the honor of presenting DeMarcus Ware into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this month. This week, Ware opened up to Adam Schefter about why, of all the people in his life, Jones is the one who will call his name.
“When someone takes a chance on you, and gives you an opportunity,” Ware said, “there were some phenomenal players in my draft class, for him to bring me in and sort of blanket me, help me through my whole career to this day, he opens up that door for me.”
“The biggest moment of my career, he gets to call my name one more time, I think that’s one of the coolest moments for him,” Ware added. “When he told me, it was like his son getting in the Hall of Fame.”
Ware learned in February that he’d made the 2023 Hall of Fame Class in his first year of eligibility.
Despite ending his career away from the Cowboys, he asked Jones to be the one to present him during Enshrinement Week. The events in Canton, Ohio are from Aug. 3-6 this year and mark the start of the NFL’s 104th season.
Ware headed for Canton
Ware had an amazing career for both the Cowboys and Denver Broncos from 2005-16. He made nine Pro Bowls and led the NFL in sacks twice — in 2008 and 2010. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2016.
For his career, Ware had 654 tackles, 138.5 sacks, 35 forced fumbles and three interceptions over 11 years.
Ware surprised Jones with his request to present him at his Hall of Fame induction. The Cowboys’ social media team was there for the special moment in March between the former defensive lineman and the team owner.
Ware popped up at the Star facility and joked with Jones that he was there for a top-30 prospect visit. The 80-year-old businessman replied, “I wish the world we could do it. We’d sign you up.”
Darrelle Revis chooses his mother to present him for Hall of Fame
Darrelle Revis is turning to his top supporter to introduce him before he accepts the gold jacket as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Revis asked his mother, Diana Askew, to stand with him as he receives the greatest career honor. According to the Hall of Fame, Revis wanted his mother there because her influence “steered him onto a path of success from an early age. Through all the successes and hardships, her support continues wholeheartedly every day.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will enshrine the class of 2023 on Aug. 5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Two days before the ceremony, the NFL kicks off its preseason with a game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
Darrelle Revis isn’t the only inductee to select a family member for their official introduction. Here’s the of the class and who will present them:
- Bob Lilly, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Cowboys teammate, will present Chuck Howley
- Tiki Barber will present his twin brother defensive back Ronde Barber
- Fellow Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons will introduce defensive lineman Joe Klecko
- Annie Thomas, along with the couple’s children, will present offensive lineman Joe Thomas
- Jimmy Johnson, the Hall of Fame Cowboys coach, will introduce linebacker Zach Thomas
- Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts will introduce his former coach, Don Coryell
On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.
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