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DeMarcus Ware (born July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy University.
[edit] Early years
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 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] NFL career
[edit] 2005 NFL Draft
In the 2005 NFL Draft, Ware was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys.
(* represents NFL Combine)
[edit] Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys planned for 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 recovery and interception, both returned for a touchdown, along with his first Pro Bowl nomination and his first All-Pro nomination. Ware has had a career-year in the 2007-2008 season. Coach Wade Phillips has even gone so far to call him the best outside linebacker in the league. Ware became only the second Cowboy to record 14 or more sacks in a season. As expected, Ware made his second straight Pro Bowl along with 12 other teammates. He was also selected to the All-Pro team for the second straight year along with teammates Terrell Owens and Jason Witten. Ware and his mother have appeared in Chunky Soup Commercials with LaDanian Tomlinson, Johnathan Vilma, Matt Hasselback and other prominent young players with their mothers.
[edit] References
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