Top 10 moments in DeMarcus Ware's Broncos career
The Broncos's digital media staff counts down DeMarcus Ware's best moments as a Bronco. (Associated Press/Denver Broncos photo archive)
If there was one game that showed the Broncos' 2015 defense was simply on a different playing field than the rest of the league, it was their 29-10 win over the Packers. The Nov. 1 win may be exemplified by Ware's sack of Aaron Rodgers. Ware knocked the ball loose from Rodgers, and though the Packers recovered in their own end zone, the Broncos' lead grew to 29-10. In all, the Broncos held Rodgers to 77 yards passing and no touchdowns. Ware's play wasn't the biggest of the game, but it certainly put the cap on one of the Broncos' most-impressive wins of the year.
If there was one game that showed the Broncos' 2015 defense was simply on a different playing field than the rest of the league, it was their 29-10 win over the Packers. The Nov. 1 win may be exemplified by Ware's sack of Aaron Rodgers. Ware knocked the ball loose from Rodgers, and though the Packers recovered in their own end zone, the Broncos' lead grew to 29-10. In all, the Broncos held Rodgers to 77 yards passing and no touchdowns. Ware's play wasn't the biggest of the game, but it certainly put the cap on one of the Broncos' most-impressive wins of the year.
All offseason, the noise regarding the Super Bowl 50 rematch grew louder and louder. When it finally arrived on Sept. 8, 2016, the Panthers seemed poised to get revenge. Early in the third quarter, Carolina picked off a Trevor Siemian pass and had a chance to grow its 10-point lead. But the Broncos would hold for a 3-and-out that flipped the field and ultimately led to the Broncos' second touchdown a couple drives later. After Ware brought Newton down for a 7-yard loss on third down, he celebrated with his typical Hulk display.
All offseason, the noise regarding the Super Bowl 50 rematch grew louder and louder. When it finally arrived on Sept. 8, 2016, the Panthers seemed poised to get revenge. Early in the third quarter, Carolina picked off a Trevor Siemian pass and had a chance to grow its 10-point lead. But the Broncos would hold for a 3-and-out that flipped the field and ultimately led to the Broncos' second touchdown a couple drives later. After Ware brought Newton down for a 7-yard loss on third down, he celebrated with his typical Hulk display.
All offseason, the noise regarding the Super Bowl 50 rematch grew louder and louder. When it finally arrived on Sept. 8, 2016, the Panthers seemed poised to get revenge. Early in the third quarter, Carolina picked off a Trevor Siemian pass and had a chance to grow its 10-point lead. But the Broncos would hold for a 3-and-out that flipped the field and ultimately led to the Broncos' second touchdown a couple drives later. After Ware brought Newton down for a 7-yard loss on third down, he celebrated with his typical Hulk display.
After 11 years in the NFL, the Broncos' ring ceremony had a special meaning for Ware. Held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the ceremony featured gold-plated boxes in which the players would find their rings. It'd been a long time coming for Ware and was well-deserved.
After 11 years in the NFL, the Broncos' ring ceremony had a special meaning for Ware. Held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the ceremony featured gold-plated boxes in which the players would find their rings. It'd been a long time coming for Ware and was well-deserved.
After 11 years in the NFL, the Broncos' ring ceremony had a special meaning for Ware. Held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the ceremony featured gold-plated boxes in which the players would find their rings. It'd been a long time coming for Ware and was well-deserved.
After 11 years in the NFL, the Broncos' ring ceremony had a special meaning for Ware. Held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the ceremony featured gold-plated boxes in which the players would find their rings. It'd been a long time coming for Ware and was well-deserved.
Ware proved early on in his Broncos career that EVP/GM John Elway had made a brilliant decision to sign him. In just his sixth game with the Broncos, he exploded for three sacks against Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers. On one of the three, he pulled off an unbelievable fake spin move that put stalwart left tackle Joe Staley on skates. From there, Ware dashed into the backfield and tossed Kaepernick to the ground.
A trip to visit with the sitting president of the United States is always an honor, but as the captain of the team, Ware got to participate more than most. First, he sat with former head coach Gary Kubiak as President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team on its win. Then, when the team visited D.C. a few months later, Ware visited with Wounded Warriors and received a shoutout from the president.
A trip to visit with the sitting president of the United States is always an honor, but as the captain of the team, Ware got to participate more than most. First, he sat with former head coach Gary Kubiak as President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team on its win. Then, when the team visited D.C. a few months later, Ware visited with Wounded Warriors and received a shoutout from the president.
A trip to visit with the sitting president of the United States is always an honor, but as the captain of the team, Ware got to participate more than most. First, he sat with former head coach Gary Kubiak as President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team on its win. Then, when the team visited D.C. a few months later, Ware visited with Wounded Warriors and received a shoutout from the president.
A trip to visit with the sitting president of the United States is always an honor, but as the captain of the team, Ware got to participate more than most. First, he sat with former head coach Gary Kubiak as President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team on its win. Then, when the team visited D.C. a few months later, Ware visited with Wounded Warriors and received a shoutout from the president.
A trip to visit with the sitting president of the United States is always an honor, but as the captain of the team, Ware got to participate more than most. First, he sat with former head coach Gary Kubiak as President Barack Obama called to congratulate the team on its win. Then, when the team visited D.C. a few months later, Ware visited with Wounded Warriors and received a shoutout from the president.
For all the success Ware enjoyed in his career, it's perhaps a bit surprising he didn't win a defensive player of the month award until September 2015. That ended after he recorded 3.5 sacks in three games during that span. For the future Hall of Famer, it was just yet another accolade to add to his lengthy resume.
Lawrence Taylor. Derrick Thomas. Jared Allen. Those are just a few of the people DeMarcus Ware sits in front of in the all-time list of sack leaders. His sack of Alex Smith in a close November loss to Kansas City pushed him to 137.5 career sacks and into the top 10 all time. Ware would pick up one more sack on the year to finish with 138.5, good for eighth on the all-time list.
Against Pittsburgh in the Divisional Round of the 2015 playoffs, Ware recovered a fumble after Bradley Roby knocked the ball away from Fitzpatrick Toussaint. With the Steelers leading by a point and holding the ball in Denver territory with less than 10 minutes on the clock, the turnover was essential to Denver's hopes of moving on in the playoffs. Against New England, Ware repeatedly hit Tom Brady as the Broncos grabbed a 20-18 win to advance to Super Bowl 50.
Against Pittsburgh in the Divisional Round of the 2015 playoffs, Ware recovered a fumble after Bradley Roby knocked the ball away from Fitzpatrick Toussaint. With the Steelers leading by a point and holding the ball in Denver territory with less than 10 minutes on the clock, the turnover was essential to Denver's hopes of moving on in the playoffs. Against New England, Ware repeatedly hit Tom Brady as the Broncos grabbed a 20-18 win to advance to Super Bowl 50.
Just days after signing Aqib Talib in 2014, EVP/GM John Elway went out and signed Ware to a three-year contract. The signing continued a massive upgrade on the defensive front after a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. To say the signing worked out well is a massive understatement. Ware recorded 21.5 sacks in three seasons alongside Von Miller and served as a mentor in the process. Though Ware's three seasons in Denver fall short of the four-year eligibility requirement for the Broncos' Ring of Fame, he left an indelible mark.
Just days after signing Aqib Talib in 2014, EVP/GM John Elway went out and signed Ware to a three-year contract. The signing continued a massive upgrade on the defensive front after a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. To say the signing worked out well is a massive understatement. Ware recorded 21.5 sacks in three seasons alongside Von Miller and served as a mentor in the process. Though Ware's three seasons in Denver fall short of the four-year eligibility requirement for the Broncos' Ring of Fame, he left an indelible mark.
Just days after signing Aqib Talib in 2014, EVP/GM John Elway went out and signed Ware to a three-year contract. The signing continued a massive upgrade on the defensive front after a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks. To say the signing worked out well is a massive understatement. Ware recorded 21.5 sacks in three seasons alongside Von Miller and served as a mentor in the process. Though Ware's three seasons in Denver fall short of the four-year eligibility requirement for the Broncos' Ring of Fame, he left an indelible mark.
On the biggest stage, Ware gave the Broncos his best. Against Cam Newton and the 17-1 Carolina Panthers, he recorded five tackles and two sacks as the Broncos stifled the Panthers' high-powered offense. The performance helped the Broncos return to the pinnacle of success and gave Ware his first Super Bowl victory. And he excelled in the celebration arena, as well. As the clock wound down, Ware was there with Von Miller to shower former head coach Gary Kubiak with Gatorade.
On the biggest stage, Ware gave the Broncos his best. Against Cam Newton and the 17-1 Carolina Panthers, he recorded five tackles and two sacks as the Broncos stifled the Panthers' high-powered offense. The performance helped the Broncos return to the pinnacle of success and gave Ware his first Super Bowl victory. And he excelled in the celebration arena, as well. As the clock wound down, Ware was there with Von Miller to shower former head coach Gary Kubiak with Gatorade.
