DeMarcus Ware announces retirement from the NFL

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Denver Broncos edge rusher and unrestricted free agent DeMarcus Ware announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday afternoon…

One of the great pass rushers in NFL history has decided to call it a career. DeMarcus Ware announced his retirement from the NFL after spending 12 seasons terrorizing quarterbacks with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

Ware earned his first and only Super Bowl ring in 2015 when the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Ware didn’t earn MVP honors, but he had a legendary run in that particular postseason…

Ware’s performance in the 2015 AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots and his follow-up in the Super Bowl were particularly memorable while he was with the Denver Broncos, racking up 21.5 of his 138.5 career sacks.

In that postseason run, he notched 3.5 total sacks, but against Tom Brady and the Patriots, he had 10 total pressures, six hits, and half a sack. He was all over Brady all game, looking possessed and like a man that was going to do anything and everything he could to win his first ever title.

In the Super Bowl, nothing was stopping Ware. When the Denver Broncos needed a big stop before halftime, he delivered…

How about late in the fourth quarter, when the Broncos needed to seal the deal?

I have nothing but great things to say about DeMarcus Ware. He came to Denver in 2014, part of a star-studded free agent haul and he deserves a ton of credit for not only turning around the Denver Broncos’ defense, but turning around the life of Von Miller.

Ware was exactly the mentor that Miller needed at the perfect time in his life, and the move to bring him to Denver was one of the best John Elway has ever made.

While many will remember Ware for his dominance as a young player with the Dallas Cowboys, you certainly can’t forget about the impact he made with the Denver Broncos.

I have no doubt we’ll see Ware in the Hall of Fame someday, and his highlight reel will include plenty of great moments with the Denver Broncos. Congratulations on a phenomenal career, DeMarcus.