Former Denver Broncos pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Demarcus Ware's tutelage of Von Miller strengthens Hall of Fame case

Former Cowboys and Broncos star DeMarcus Ware deserves to be in the Pro Football of Fame. He turned good pass-rushers into great ones, as evidenced by his mentorship of Von Miller during Denver's Super Bowl 50 run.

"He came at a vital point in my life," the two-time Super Bowl champion said last February when Ware was on the ballot. "And I'm really just a product of DeMarcus. I come from the DeMarcus Ware tree."

Ware helped Miller return to Pro Bowl form after he tore his ACL in 2013. They also formed one of the league's best tandems. Denver was on the league's top-10 sack list from 2014-16.   

The Broncos led the league in sacks in 2015 (52), carrying Denver to its third title after defeating the Panthers, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50. Ware (3.5) was No. 2 in sacks during the 2015 postseason, while Miller (five) was No. 1. 

On Wednesday, the HOF announced its 15 modern-era finalists for the 2023 class, which included Ware. The HOF makes its final selections on Feb. 9 during the NFL Honors show.

Only five modern-era finalists are nominated, and Ware is deserving. He made nine Pro Bowls in 12 seasons and ranks ninth all-time in sacks (138.5). Ware's willingness to share knowledge benefited his teams throughout his career. He had a losing record only once. 

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