The Dallas Cowboys organization is loaded with Hall of Fame talent. Names like Roger Staubach, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman have been forever enshrined in Canton. Recently, the original 88, Drew Pearson, was selected to the 2021 class after decades of being left out.
America’s Team has two more of its players that will be eligible in 2022. Tony Romo, the Cowboy’s all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, is unlikely to get in on the first try. However, his former teammate, DeMarcus Ware, has a shot of being a first-ballot selection.
Ware was a first-round pick in 2005. During his nine seasons with the Cowboys, he accumulated a franchise-record 117 sacks. While he was terrorizing quarterbacks on the playing field, possible induction into the Hall of Fame didn’t cross Ware’s mind. Now retired, his thoughts have changed.
“As a player, you don’t think about that stuff, but now that you are retired you realize this is your opportunity to be enshrined in that fraternity that will last forever. Immortality,” Ware said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Although he was selected 11th overall, no one could have imagined that Ware would end up having the career he had, especially coming from a small school like Troy. The former Cowboy simply tried to prove himself every game.
“They didn’t know I had that edge and I had that grit,” Ware said. “When I started playing, I just wanted to beat the guy in front of me. It was simple to me.”
Ware certainly beat the guy in front of him plenty of times during his 12-year career. His 138.5 sacks rank ninth all-time. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro. He led the NFL in sacks twice (2008, 2010) and was selected to the 2000s All-Decade Team. He played his final three seasons (2014-2016) with the Denver Broncos and was a big-time contributor to their 2015 Super Bowl championship squad.
Even if he doesn’t make the cut on his first try next year, which will be somewhat of a shocker with such an impressive resume, it won’t be long before Ware adds his name to a long list of Hall of Famers that have played for the Cowboys.
