If you were a quarterback in the late 2000s, seeing number 94 lined up on the edge was basically a nightmare in cleats. Honestly, it wasn't just the speed. It was the fact that DeMarcus Ware seemed to be playing a completely different game than everyone else on the field. While most guys were just trying to outrun a tackle, Ware was out there using martial arts and a first step that felt like it defied physics.
When the Dallas Cowboys took him with the 11th overall pick in 2005, it wasn't a "safe" pick. He was a kid from Troy University. He was a "tweener"—too small for defensive end, maybe too big for linebacker. Bill Parcells actually wanted Marcus Spears first. Jerry Jones, however, saw something different. He saw a cornerstone.
The First Step and the Martial Arts Secret
What most people forget about the DeMarcus Ware Dallas Cowboys era is how technical he really was. Yeah, he was fast. He ran a 4.56 at the combine, which is absurd for a guy who was 258 pounds. But the real "secret sauce" was his hands.
Ware spent years training with Valentin Espiricueta, a student of the legendary Dan Inosanto (who trained with Bruce Lee). He wasn't just lifting weights; he was practicing Jeet Kune Do and Kali. He treated pass rushing like a high-speed chess match. If a tackle tried to punch him in the chest, Ware would use a "side-scissor" move to swipe the hands away before the blocker even knew what happened.
It worked.
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In 2008, he put up 20 sacks. That's a franchise record that still stands today. He followed that up with 19.5 sacks in 2011. To put that in perspective, he’s one of only two players in NFL history to have two different seasons with 19 or more sacks. The other guy? Mark Gastineau. That's the kind of air he was breathing.
Breaking Down the Sack King’s Dallas Resume
Most fans know he's the leader, but seeing the numbers all at once is still kind of jarring. During his nine seasons in Big D, Ware wasn't just good; he was the most consistent force in the league.
- 117.0 sacks with the Cowboys (the official franchise record).
- 7 Pro Bowls and 4 First-team All-Pro nods just while in Dallas.
- 32 forced fumbles, which is just a ridiculous number for one player.
- Led the NFL in sacks twice (2008 and 2010).
He didn't just rack up stats against bad teams, either. He was a "big game" hunter. Whether it was chasing down Eli Manning or making life miserable for Michael Vick, 94 was the only guy on that defense that offensive coordinators had to double-team every single snap.
The 2014 Departure: Business vs. Loyalty
The end of the DeMarcus Ware Dallas Cowboys partnership was... complicated. It's one of those moves that still hurts Cowboys fans to talk about. By 2013, injuries were starting to catch up to him. He had neck issues, quadriceps tears, and elbow problems. He missed three games—the first of his career—and "only" had six sacks.
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The Cowboys were in a massive salary cap hole. They asked him to take a pay cut. He said no.
Basically, it came down to a $16 million cap hit that the team couldn't justify for a 31-year-old with a bad back. When they released him in March 2014, Jerry Jones called it one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make. Within 24 hours, Ware signed with the Denver Broncos.
Watching him win Super Bowl 50 with Denver was bittersweet for Dallas fans. You were happy for the man, but you hated that it wasn't in a star-studded helmet. He eventually came back to retire as a Cowboy in 2017, signing a one-day contract to make things "right." It was the closure everyone needed.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
If you watch Micah Parsons today, you’re seeing the DNA of DeMarcus Ware. Ware was the blueprint for the modern "hybrid" pass rusher. He proved that you could be a gentleman off the field—always smiling, always polite—and a total "Superman" on it.
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His Hall of Fame induction in 2023 wasn't just about the stats. It was about a guy who came from a rough environment in Auburn, Alabama, and used a terrifying moment in a parking lot—where he literally had a gun held to his head—as motivation to never waste his talent. He didn't just play football; he used it to escape his circumstances.
Actionable Insights for Cowboys Fans & Historians:
- Study the Tape: If you're a young defensive player, go back and watch the 2008 season. Specifically, look at his "dip and rip" move. It’s a masterclass in leverage.
- Ring of Honor: Ware was officially inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2023. If you ever visit AT&T Stadium, his name is now permanently etched alongside legends like Bob Lilly and Randy White.
- The Sack Leaderboard: Keep an eye on the record. While 117 is a huge number, the way the game is played now with more passing attempts, records are meant to be chased. But for now, Ware is still the king.
The legacy of 94 is simple: He was the best player on the field for a decade, and he did it with a smile that hid a relentless, almost scary, competitive drive. He remains the gold standard for what a Dallas Cowboys defender should be.