As we wake up this morning pondering a Cowboys’ team with George Selvie as its most accomplished defensive lineman, know that one day DeMarcus Ware will be inducted into the Ring of Honor.
But in 2014, he won’t wear a star on his helmet.
Because Jerry Jones is acting like an actual general manager, Ware is now a former Cowboy, purged from the roster because he refused to take a pay cut. Next to be released will be Miles Austin, another overpaid, underperforming veteran who no longer is worth the price.
Remember, the Cowboys once released Emmitt Smith. And Troy Aikman. And Larry Allen. Fans are eulogizing Ware today, as they should. He’s one of the best defensive players in the history of the franchise and will one day have his name resting alongside the likes of Bob Lilly, Lee Roy Jordan and Charles Haley in AT&T Stadium.
Ware was a great player on a lot of mediocre teams. In fact, once enshrined in the Ring of Honor, he’ll join Don Meredith and Don Perkins as the only three out of 21 players not to be associated with a Super Bowl-winning team.
We’re reminded Tuesday that the NFL is a business. A harsh, ruthless business. And while Jones did what’s best for the Cowboys, Ware responded by doing what’s best for Ware.
It’ll be shocking to see Ware in another uniform, like Pudge Rodriguez playing for the Marlins or Mike Modano as a Red Wing or Emmitt in Arizona. And next year will be strange as we root for both the Cowboys — and an opposing player — to both win a Super Bowl.
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Ware deserves your adulation. But he no longer deserved to play for the Cowboys at his inflated salary.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently writes a sports/guy stuff blog at DFWSportatorium.com and lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
