The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 consists of nine exceptional men. There’s coach Don Coryell, tackle Joe Thomas and seven defensive players. Three of those seven were standout linebackers, starting with Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley and Dolphins’ tackling machine Zach Thomas.
In 2005, the Dallas Cowboys owned the 11th overall pick in the draft period. There was a difference opinion on who the team should select. As the story goes, head coach Bill Parcells leaned towards LSU defensive end Marcus Spears. Troy University prospect DeMarcus Ware was the preference for owner/general manager Jerry Jones (Ware’s presenter this weekend). Obviously, the latter won out and the Cowboys found themselves a superstar (FYI, Dallas would take Spears with the 20th overall pick).
Making An Immediate Impact
During his first season in “Big D,” he started all 16 games. He finished with 58 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles. Ware was just getting warmed up. He would total at least 11.0 sacks in each of his next campaigns with the team. His what was his final year in Dallas in 2013, he played in a career-low 13 games and finished with a personal-low six QB traps. The Cowboys would release him the following March. In nine seasons with the team, he totaled 117.0 sacks, 32 forced fumbles and returned three of his nine takeaways for touchdowns.
Off To The Mile High City
He quickly latched on with the Broncos in 2014. This was a Super Bowl team the previous season and set a new NFL record for points scored in a season. However, Denver was humbled in Super Bowl XLVIII by the Seahawks and one of the issues was an inconsistent defense. Along with Ware, the Broncos also added safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Aqib Talib to a unit that still featured Von Miller.
Ware enjoyed three solid seasons in the Mile High City and earned a pair of Pro Bowl invitations. There were 21.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 37 regular-season outings. During the Broncos’ three-game Super Bowl 50 championship run, he totaled 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. In eight postseason games with Dallas and Denver, he finished with 7.5 sacks.
The 12-year resume is indeed impressive, hence a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It all adds up to 138.5 sacks, 35 forced fumbles, three interceptions (1 touchdowns) and eight fumble recoveries (2 touchdowns). Ware was named to the Pro Bowl nine times, earned All-Pro honors four times and is now the 371st member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
More must-reads: