DeMarcus Ware

A formidable figure in the National Football League (NFL) for more than a dozen seasons, DeMarcus Ware led the Dallas Cowboys in quarterback sacks before joining the Denver Broncos, with whom he earned a Super Bowl ring against the Carolina Panthers in 2015. Born DeMarcus Omar Ware on July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama, he was steeped in sports throughout his pre-college years, performing at the highest level in both football and track and field. After completing his senior season at Auburn High School with seven sacks and 55 total tackles, Ware accepted a scholarship from Troy University, and debuted as a starter at defensive end in his sophomore year. Within three years' time, he had netted a record-setting 27.5 sacks, 201 tackles, 74 quarterback hurries and one interception, which earned him the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year award. After completed his college career, Ware was selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft, signing a five-year, $13 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. He quickly justified that sizable sum with three tackles in his NFL debut against the San Diego Chargers and his first sack on San Francisco's Tim Rattay just three weeks later. Named NFL Defensive Rookie on several occasions throughout 2005, Ware went to finish his freshman outing with 58 tackles, and joined Jimmie Jones as the only rookies to ever lead or tie for the Cowboys' team lead in sacks. The following year saw Ware score his first NFL touchdown on a 41-yard interception against the Atlanta Falcons, which generated the first of seven Pro Bowl invitations in his career and the team record for sacks by a Cowboys lineback with 11.5 sacks. Ware would top that number in 2007 with 14 sacks, minting him as the leading NFL linebacker for sacks and tied the Denver Broncos' Simon Fletcher for recording sacks in ten consecutive games the following year. He would sign a six-year, $78-million contract with the Cowboys in 2009, and would again sur