Plucked from tiny Troy University with the 11th overall pick in 2005, the explosive edge rusher made a seamless transition to outside linebacker in Bill Parcells' 3-4 defense. DeMarcus Ware immediately proved that his elite traits translated to the pro level, posting an eight-sack rookie year that set the stage for one of the most dominant pass-rushing runs in modern NFL history.

His major breakthrough came in his second season in 2006, when he recorded 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. This performance began an impressive run of seven straight Pro Bowl selections from 2006 to 2012, a period during which Ware dominated opposing tackles with a lethal mix of quick dip-and-bend speed and leverage-driven strength.

During this incredible run of elite play, Ware earned First-Team All-Pro honors four times (2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011) and claimed two NFL sack titles. His finest individual campaign came in 2008, when he recorded a monster 20.0-sack effort, forced six fumbles, and led the league with 27 tackles for loss. He paced the NFL in sacks again in 2010 with 15.5 takedowns, ultimately topping the league in tackles for loss three times (2008, 2010, and 2011) as the undeniable centerpiece of the Dallas defense.

Beyond those sack titles, Ware nearly achieved a third in 2011 with 19.5 sacks, marking his second season with at least 19 takedowns—an accomplishment achieved by only a few pass rushers in league history. He earned a spot on the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and received two Butkus Awards as the top linebacker of the pro game, regularly disrupting opposing strategies with consistent double-digit sacks and 32 forced fumbles in Dallas.

Cap's injuries forced his release after an injury-hampered 2013 season, prompting Ware to join the Denver Broncos. He earned two more Pro Bowl nods in Colorado and served as a crucial veteran leader alongside Von Miller, capping his playing career with a Super Bowl 50 victory before retiring with 138.5 total career sacks.

In his nine seasons in Dallas (2005–2013), Ware played in 141 games, compiling 117.0 sacks and 32 forced fumbles, and left as the organization's all-time leader in quarterback takedowns. The Cowboys inducted him into the Ring of Honor in 2023, complementing his official entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.