What did DeMarcus Ware say in his Pro Football Hall of Fame Speech?

Dallas Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday alongside fellow Dallas Cowboy Chuck Howley.

Ware was introduced by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who fought to draft Ware over LSU defensive end Marcus Spears in the 2005 NFL Draft.

In nine years with the Dallas Cowboys, Ware totaled 576 tackles and 117 sacks, which is No. 1 all-time in Dallas Cowboys history.

This was the fourth time Jones has been a Hall of Fame presenter, as he also presented Larry Allen, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

Jones introduced Ware by praising him for not only his play but his character as well.

“Demarcus Ware is a rare combination of physical gifts and also high, high, high mental and moral character,” said Jones, “You combine those things, then you have one of the rarest football players that have ever played this game.”

Ware started off his speech by thanking his family for the support they gave him over his life.

“I learned how to dream big, by watching you Mom, and somehow you always managed to tuck me in at 2 a.m. in the morning after working three jobs. shielding me from worrying, while I knew I wasn’t gonna see you before I went to school the next morning. I knew I would see you every single day working in the school cafeteria in elementary school, middle school and even high school. We always exchanged that big smile that Grandma gave us. You showed me how to serve and smile through anything. When you don’t have any other choice, you just have to do. You didn’t miss a day, and sis and I didn’t miss a meal.”

Ware also mentioned his aunt and grandfather for being a constant presence in his life as a child.

Ware thanked his high school teammates for helping him get into Troy University.

“I want to thank Osi Umenyiora ... and all my high school teammates for using your voices to help me get my scholarship to Troy University. The only college scholarship I got.”

Ware also spoke about the moment that he said changed his life.

“For me that one single frightening moment was when I was in college. I was attending a parking lot party when I was visiting home, my uncle was in his car and without warning was knocked across the head with a gun and a knife dropped to the ground and I picked it up. When I looked up all I could see was the potential shooter’s eyes and a gun barrel pressed against my head. All I heard was my family say don’t kill him. There was an eerie silence after which I simply said this isn’t me and I dropped the knife. At that moment I knew God gave me a second chance and I had to do something with it. That was my turning point, the memory of those parking lot lights and the sounds of those screams don’t kill him became The fire that empowered me. You can’t imagine how many years that night echoed in my head. when I trained I was motivated by the memories of those parking lot lights and when I ran onto the field and the crowd cheered, those memories of those screens began to fade.”

Ware explained why he always had a smile around the Cowboys facility.

“You know the most frequently asked question I got as a Dallas Cowboy was why are you always smiling? I smile because you guys were the highlight of my day and you helped me get through life outside of football. I was a sponge that absorbed everything, and I smiled and now I look out and I see you guys smiling, what a wonderful feeling. You chose me to be your captain and I’m forever humbled by it.”

Ware also spoke about his time with the Denver Broncos where he helped the team win the 2016 Super Bowl.

“So when I went to Denver I had a huge opportunity to once again let that light shine. That light and leadership shine, it started with a call from John Elway, the Bowlen family and Peyton Manning. I remember that call, you [Peyton Manning] said, ‘Let’s go win this thing [Super Bowl 50],’ and we did it, brother.”

Ware got emotional speaking about former teammates who had died.

“We lost some guys too soon, Demaryius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman, Marion Barber, I held some seats in my heart for you guys here today. Keep resting in peace fellas.”

Ware also thanked everyone along his journey that helped him achieve enshrinement and talked about the power of forgiveness.

“To all my coaches from high school and college and the NFL, thank you for believing in me, pouring into me, or redirecting me to something I couldn’t see in myself.”

“This might sound crazy, but the NFL taught me how to forgive. First, I forgave myself and then I forgave my dad. Dad, all the times I didn’t understand why you weren’t there. It doesn’t matter, you’re here now. I’ve learned that guilt rots in a person and forgiveness heals. How can I expect God to forgive me, If I don’t forgive you? You once said two simple words to me. I’m sorry. I’m not sure if I responded, but I’m telling you now on the biggest platform of my life, I forgive you.”

Ware also thanked his wife and children.

“My heart is now anchored in my family. my wife Angela, and my kids, Marlene, DeMarcus Jr., and MJ., I love you. Angela, God’s country led me to you, and girl when I saw you I knew you were my wife. And to my kids, I played through my career for you, and I retired for you. Everything I do is either in obedience to God or our family.”