DeMarcus Ware was one of the most intimidating pass-rushing threats in NFL history totaled 508 solo tackles and 138 sacks throughout his 12-year professional career. Born in Auburn, Alabama, Ware took his talents to Troy University. During his time at Troy, he had an important role in the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2001. He collected awards like the 2004 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the year and was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. His senior year he was a finalist for the 2004 Hendricks Award (nation’s top defensive end) and helped the Trojans compete in their first-ever bowl game at the Silicon Valley Football Classic. He finished his collegiate career as Troy’s all-time leader with 55.5 tackles for loss and ranked among the best in Trojan history with 27 sacks for a loss of 198 yards.
After a stellar collegiate career, Ware was drafted 11th pick overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. He played nine of his 12 seasons and 141 games as a Cowboy and finished as the franchise all-time leader in forced fumbles (32) and multiple sack games (28). Ware averaged 13 sacks and 48 solo tackles per game while with the Cowboys and gained the nickname “Sack Master” as he is the all-time leader in sacks with 117. While he was with the Cowboys he led the league in sacks two years (‘08 and ‘10) and three years in tackles for loss (‘08, ‘10, and ‘11). He went to the Denver Broncos for three seasons (‘14-’16) where he helped them win a Superbowl Championship. He finished his career in the NFL playing 178 games and recorded 508 solo tackles, 171 tackles for loss, 229 QB hits, 35 forced fumbles, and is currently ranks #9 in the league for sacks.
During his time in the NFL he was a four-time First-team All-Pro (2007-‘09, and ‘11), no other defensive end or linebacker has been selected more, and a nine-time Pro-Bowl selection (2006-’12, ‘14-’15). In 2008, Ware was named NFC Defensive Player of the year and also won the Dick Butkus Award the first year they began awarding it to professional linebackers, and again in 2011, both as a Cowboy. Ware was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the decade of the 2000s and inducted into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame (2012) and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
