Demarcus Ware

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Demarcus Ware
Date of birth July 31, 1982 (age 24)
Place of birth Flag of United States Auburn, Alabama
Position(s) Linebacker
College Troy
NFL Draft 2005 / Round 1/ Pick 11
Pro Bowls 2007
Statistics
Team(s)
2006-present Dallas Cowboys

Demarcus Ware (born July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy State University.

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[edit] High school career

Ware attended Auburn High School (Auburn, Alabama) and was a letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He played basketball for Coach Frank Tolbert, a strong disciplinarian. In football, as a senior, he won All-Area honors, was named the team Most Valuable Wide Receiver, team Most Valuable Linebacker, and the team Most Valuable Leadership honors. He finished his impressive senior season with 7 sacks, and 55 total tackles (40 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles. Fellow Troy alum and current New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora attended Auburn High School, as well as current Washington Redskins linebacker Marcus Washington. Ware, along with fellow pro-mates, annually attend a celebrity basketball game held at his High School. The event was started by Marcus Washington, but has since grown into a very successful event that is greatly anticipated each year.

[edit] College career

Ware attended Troy State University and was a two time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. As a senior he was the League's Defensive Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the Hendricks Award. He finished his college career with 27.5 sacks, 195 tackles (57 for losses), 74 quarterback hurries, 10 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception. His 27.5 sacks rank second in school history for sacks in a career behind Charles Pickett, and his 57 tackles for losses rank first in school history.

[edit] Pro career

In the 2005 NFL Draft, Ware was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys, whom would use Ware to be their weakside outside linebacker. This move would help head coach Bill Parcells complete the switch from a 4-3 base defense to a 3-4 base defense (see American football strategy). In his rookie year (2005-06 season), he finished with 58 total tackles, 14 Tackles for losses, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

In his rookie season, Ware recorded 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in a single game against the Carolina Panthers. Similarly, in 2006 against the Detroit Lions, Ware recorded 3 sacks a forced fumble, and wasn't credited for a much deserving additional half sack. Ware ended the regular season with a team high 11.5 sacks with 71 tackles, a fumble recover and intercept both for a touchdown, along with his first Pro Bowl nomination.

[edit] Trivia

  • The senior prom for Auburn High School was held the same day of the 2005 NFL draft in which Ware was taken. Ware can be seen posing with his sister-in-law, Jalisa Smith, and her prom date, Dennareo Gilmore.
  • Nicknamed "The Warewolf"

[edit] External links