Cowboys LOOK: DeMarcus Ware & Stars Putt on Ice For Invited Celebrity Classic
DALLAS - A select few of Dallas' finest athletes traded in their football and baseball fields for the Dallas Stars' ice at American Airlines Center for charity on Monday.
Pro Football Hall-of-Famers Tim Brown and DeMarcus Ware, and National Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, tee'd off in a friendly golf shot-making competition. The result was laughs and high-fives galore at media day for the Invited Celebrity Classic.
The putting challenge was won by "team football," led by Ware and Brown. The real winners were the children who joined the former professional athletes on the ice, members of the Momentous Institute, First Tee Greater Dallas and First Tee Fort Worth, who were awarded $10,000 in total.
Ware also gave insight into left tackle Tyron Smith, who is expected to sign with the New York Jets after 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
"Tyron Smith is one of the best tackles in the league," said Ware of his former teammate. He was a cornerstone for the Dallas Cowboys. Protecting Dak (Prescott), Tony (Romo), he always did what he needed to do. Now it's another chapter of his life."
Ware could relate to Smith's situation. After nine seasons with the Cowboys, Ware finished his NFL career by playing three seasons for the Denver Broncos, where he won a Super Bowl.
"It's very hard. When you put your blood, sweat and tears in for a team, like I did, it's hard to leave. ... But guess what? I'm back. We always come back to what is comfortable. That is here in Texas," said Ware.
In 2017, Ware signed a ceremonial one-day contract with Dallas to retire as a Cowboy. His impact in the DFW area is palpable.
In its first two years, the Invited Celebrity Classic has generated nearly $500,000 in charitable donations and the economic impact is estimated at nearly $3 million for the greater Dallas area.
"It's free (to attend) ... Fans can come out to get a laugh or an autograph. When you can change someone's day with just a smile, that is the reason why I do it," said Ware. "To do something good for the community. Raising money and changing some of these young kids lives."
Former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro quarterback Tony Romo is the reigning Invited Celebrity Classic Golf champion, after mounting an impressive comeback in the final round in 2023.
This spring, Romo is back to defend his title against an impressive celebrity field, including Ware, Brown, "Pudge" and former MLB All-Star pitcher Roger Clemens and former NFL All-Pro running back Reggie Bush.
Romo, who holds the Cowboys' record for all-time passing touchdowns, can't wait to play in front of the "electric crowd" at Invited’s Las Colinas Country Club on April 15-21. The unique PGA TOUR Champions tournament includes a field of 78 PGA TOUR Champions players, 40 celebrities and 10 Invited Member Qualifiers.
Fans can watch Romo, who hold the Cowboys' record for all-time passing touchdowns, free of charge for all three days of competition.
