DeMarcus Ware honors fallen teammates at HOF induction

DeMarcus Ware. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: DeMarcus Ware makes emotional tribute to fallen teammates at Hall induction

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/5/23

DeMarcus Ware took his rightful place alongside the immortals in Canton on Saturday, but he didn't forget the teammates lost during his journey.

An emotional Ware made a touching tribute to his former gridiron mates who've died, reserving them all seats in the crowd for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

"We lost some guys too soon," Ware said. "Demaryius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman, Marion Barber. I held some seats in my heart for you guys here today. Keep resting in peace, fellas."

.@DeMarcusWare reserved seats in Canton for his former teammates who have passed away. ❤️

: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YdDnR6wlJC
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023

Ware spent nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, six of which played alongside Barber, who died from heat stroke at 38 last July. Meanwhile, Ware played with Thomas and Hillman during his three-year stint with the Denver Broncos. Thomas died suddenly in December 2021 at 33, while Hillman died after a battle with cancer in December 2022 at only 31.

A nine-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champion, Ware was a menace on the field over his 12-year career. The prototype for a defensive hell-raiser in the mid-to-late 2000s, Ware's storied career was more than worthy of enshrinement into the Hall of Fame. However, on Saturday, Ware showed he is also a Hall of Fame person, sharing his day with those no longer with us.

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