NFL Hall of Fame Game: DeMarcus Ware sings national anthem in tribute to late teammate Demaryius Thomas
DeMarcus Ware is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend for his talent as a pass rusher, but he got to show his talent as a singer on the field Thursday.
The Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos great surprised fans by singing the national anthem ahead of the annual Hall of Fame Game, the annual opener for the NFL's preseason slate:
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee DeMarcus Ware sings the National Anthem ahead of kickoff! pic.twitter.com/rP5XXNxXr1
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 4, 2023
There is a touching story behind Ware's decision to sing, as the Dallas Morning News reported Thursday morning he used to sing the anthem with Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas on the sideline during their time in Denver. Thomas died in 2021 from complications related to a seizure disorder. He was also diagnosed with CTE.
Ware was obviously close to Thomas, and chose to sing as a tribute to his late teammate.
Heartbroken ???? pic.twitter.com/e3EbU0aPeP
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) December 10, 2021
As Ware said during the ensuing game, he felt Thomas would be out there with him as he sang:
"I knew he was going to be there with me out there when I was singing. It meant so much, not just singing the national anthem, but that moment I felt like I needed, especially before the speech."
Ware hasn't been alone in paying tribute to Thomas, whose death rocked the NFL only a few months after his official retirement. The Broncos took the field with 10 players their following game, while Peyton Manning launched a scholarship in Thomas' name.
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Emotions aside, Ware said he was nervous about singing:
“You can never be ready for that,” Ware said of singing the anthem. “There’s ways you can prepare for it and have ample amount of vocal lessons. But when you get up there and when the crowd goes silent, it’s your turn to get up there and sing to the whole United States of America on what it stands for. And that is huge.”
Ware's Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for noon ET on Saturday. Joining him will be Rondé Barber, Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, Darrelle Revis, Ken Riley, Joe Thomas and Zach Thomas.