Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware’s candid response to Hall of Fame snub

During this year’s NFL Honors ceremony, several Dallas Cowboys attended the event in hopes of winning big-time awards. Micah Parsons came home with the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and Dan Quinn won the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. While some considered Parsons losing Defensive Player of the Year to T.J. Watt a snub, perhaps the biggest snub of the evening was when Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware did not get added to the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The internet was outraged and many (including former coaches) were shocked that the Cowboys phenomenon did not make it into the hall in his first eligible year. Ware himself decided to remain classy and congratulate all of those who were added to the class.

The former Cowboy was an outstanding linebacker throughout his 12-year NFL career. He had nine Pro Bowl nods, four All-Pro honors, a Super Bowl ring, and many more accolades to his name. In his career, Ware had 138.5 total sacks, which is more than Richard Dent, LaDanian Tomlinson, John Randle, and Derek Thomas. Yet, his first time around was a no-go – a pattern that seems to be present in Ware’s life.

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Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware opens up about not making the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

In a recent interview with FanSided’s “Stacking the Box” podcast, Ware spoke to Mark Carman about his Hall of Fame snub. As always, the former Cowboy spoke with a smile on his face and the utmost humility. The 9x Pro Bowler openly admitted that he expected to make the class. He knows his worth and he knows that he deserves to be in Canton. However, Ware seemed to chalk it up to what the voters wanted the “character of the class” to be.

Ware continued to speak candidly about how he felt about losing out on the hall.

"“I put my resume in. And I always tell them ‘you know what? You’re knocking at the door and sometimes it doesn’t open for you.’ And I’ve been that guy where it usually doesn’t open the first time. But I’m the guy that’s always standing hungry. I’m going to keep knocking. And eventually, that door is going to open up and that opportunity is going to be there. The first is usually not part of my story. But maybe number two will be.”"

Not getting something on the first try seems to be a common thread for WAre. He didn’t make the class on his first try. He didn’t get a Pro Bowl nod until his second year in the NFL. He didn’t get his first All-Pro selection until his third year in the NFL. He didn’t get a Super Bowl ring with his first team. Yet, as he mentioned, Ware kept knocking. And, that’s exactly what he plans to do with the Hall of Fame. Ware knows he will get there one day.

Carman asked Ware who he planned to thank once that happens. The former linebacker was quick to mention Bill Parcells. Ware said the coach taught him how to play the true fundamentals of football. He also mentioned Wade Phillips who allowed the former Cowboy to be the kind of player he wanted to be. The ninth man on the all-time leading sacker list said he also has to thank his grandpa and family for getting him to where he needed to be in his life.

There’s no doubt that Ware will soon get his gold jacket. Given the dissatisfaction from fans and analysts this year, he will likely be joining sooner rather than later.