Ware, Suggs Honored With Professional Butkus Award

Dallas' DeMarcus Ware and Baltimore's Terrell Suggs were named co-winners of 4th annual professional edition of the Butkus Award

The Dallas Cowboys DeMarcus Ware and the Baltimore Ravens Terrell Suggs were named co-winners of the Professional Dick Butkus Award this week, honoring the best linebackers in the pro ranks.

This is just the fourth annual Professional Butkus Ward--which started as a collegiate award in 1985 and expanded to include pro and high school versions of the award--and Ware already has one. He came away with the first ever edition of the honor, back in 2008.

The official announcement will be made on a special edition of Pro Football Weekly this weekend, from Jan. 27-29, on Fox Sports Network.

"Suggs and Ware excelled at beating their blockers and terrorizing quarterbacks," said Hub Arkush, editor of Pro Football Weekly, in a statement.

"Terrell Suggs had his best year in 2011 of his nine years in the NFL, especially against the run. He understands blocking angles as well as anyone, and has been one of the most consistent pass rushers during his career. He really stepped up his dominant play when Ray Lewis had a late-season injury.

"DeMarcus Ware is the best pure pass rusher in football. He is a persistent and dominating defensive player, and overcame an off-season foot surgery to regain his speed and explosion during 2011."

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