ARLINGTON, Texas –DeMarcus Ware was back home Thursday.
Back at AT&T Stadium, where he starred at linebacker and defensive end. Back around the Cowboys, teaming up with the organization as a 2018 NFL Draft community ambassador for youth outreach initiatives in North Texas leading up to the big weekend.
"It feels like home, seeing familiar faces," he told reporters at AT&T Stadium. "It's always been like family since I've been here."
Ware held a ceremonial retirement at The Star in Frisco last April and says he declined three opportunities around the league to make a comeback this past season.
"I thought about it, now, don't get me wrong," he said. "But I was like, 'No, you're done. Your body is telling you it's time for you to teach. And you see your teaching through the players.'"
Ware, who began doing media work last season, stopped by practice once to help the Cowboys' young pass rushers. It's the type of mentor role he hopes to continue some in 2018.
"I did once (last season), but I'm talking about really making an impact this year," he said.
What else could be next?
Standing just beyond the glass windows that oversaw the Ring of Honor names etched above the AT&T Stadium field, Ware was asked what it would mean if he joined that exclusive group one day.
Ware acknowledged he and team owner/general manager Jerry Jones have discussed that possibility before.
"We talked about that," Ware said, not speculating any further than that.
Ware has always been considered a strong candidate. Over nine seasons, he appeared in 141 of a possible 144 games with Dallas and recorded 117 sacks. His 138.5 career sacks (including three final seasons with the Denver Broncos) was the eighth-highest total in NFL history.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is certainly another possibility for Ware once he's eligible for induction.
"I put the work in," he said, "and we'll let everybody else be the judge of that."
