Retired Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware was honored during a pre-induction Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio on Saturday afternoon. When his time came, Ware took the stage and gave an impassioned speech.
Ware gave thanks to his family, his friends and many of his former teammates, including those who have passed. He also called back to his roots — Auburn High School and Troy University.
One of the former high school and college teammates Ware singled out was retired New York Giants edge rusher Osi Umenyiora, who played alongside Ware for four seasons prior to entering the NFL. The two became extremely close friends and remain so today.
“I want to thank Osi Umenyiora,” Ware said. “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.”
Both Ware and Umenyiora were limited to scholarship from Troy, but they each made the most of the opportunity. They combined for 52.5 sacks during their two years together at the program and then it was on to the NFL.
“We’ll laugh [about] how we can’t believe we are here,” Umenyiora said in 2008, via ESPN. “If you see where we came from and the paths we took to get here, for us to both be known as some of the most feared pass-rushers in the league right now, coming from that is stupid when you think about it.”
For Ware, his football journey ended in Canton. For Umenyiora, his continues in Africa with the mission to grow the game of football across the globe and provide opportunities for those around the world who otherwise wouldn’t have it.
