Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware on Hall of Fame: A 'Living, Breathing,' Surprising Welcome to Canton
In this story:
ARLINGTON - Several of the best athletes in the world grabbed their golf clubs for a friendly shot-making competition in advance of the Invited Celebrity Classic tournament.
And among them: Dallas Cowboys legend DeMarcus Ware, who tee'd off with one of the greatest NFL wide receivers of all time, Tim Brown, at Globe Life Field on Friday ... Ware fresh off a pre-induction visit to Canton, Ohio.
"I didn't know that the people in Canton live, breath and eat Hall Of Fame," said Ware. "It is amazing to see how it is embedded around history ... It was a welcoming that I have never gotten before. It felt like I was on a whole new team, which I am!"
Ware and Brown will compete in the tournament, which features a star-studded field of 40 celebrity golfers competing alongside the pros on April 21-23 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas.
The tournament has a professional prize purse of $2 million, plus a $500,000 celebrity prize purse, while also supporting three local youth charities. In its inaugural year in 2022, the tournament reported $6 million in revenue, an estimated $1.9 million economic impact and $200,000 of nonprofit donations.
The friendly shot competition turned competitive quickly at Globe Life Field, as the drive to win has not escaped these decorated athletes in "retirement."
Ware and Brown led Team Football competing against Team Baseball, led by Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and Roger Clemens. Ware, Brown and Team Football walked away as victors of the day, recognizing the tough task ahead at the Invited Celebrity Classic. The tournament also awarded local charity 'Momentous Institute' a $5,000 gift.
Brown is the first wide receiver to ever win the Heisman Trophy ... yet, he declares golf to be tougher than football.
"Next to bowling, yes (golf is the toughest sport)," said Brown. "Somebody told me this though, 'You aren't good enough to get mad,' so I just go out and enjoy the game."
Ware, the Cowboys' all-time sack leader, joins long-standing member Brown as one of the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ware smiled as he described visiting Canton last month and his excitement to wear his gold jacket for the first time.
Ware played the first nine of his 12 seasons with the Cowboys from 2005-13, setting a franchise-record 117 career sacks. Ware finished his career with the Denver Broncos, helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.
NFL rushing champion Emmitt Smith and former Cowboys All-Pro quarterback Tony Romo will also compete in the Invited Celebrity Classic Presented by Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, which is free for fans to attend. The goal for the tournament in 2023 is to double their charity contributions.
"It's fun to be out here raising money for the Invited Celebrity Classic," Ware said. "We are doing this not only to compete, we are doing this for the kids. It's so cool to know that you are doing something good for the community."
