JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: DeMarcus Ware’s time will come for getting a gold jacket

Feb 11, 2022, 1:55 PM | Updated: 5:27 pm

Even though four of the five Hall of Famers announced on Thursday night were on defensive side of the ball, DeMarcus Ware didn’t make the cut. That had to disappoint the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos.

Most of Ware’s career was played in Dallas, but he had three good years in Denver, including a Super Bowl title. So what happened?

In some years, voters take care of the backlog of candidates who have been waiting. In some years, it’s hard for first ballot Hall of Famers to make it. Ware was in his first year of eligibility.

Defensive end Richard Seymour has been a finalist five times. It took a while for Bryant Young to make it, but he’s in.

Don’t worry. Ware has a great chance of making it next year. There is no question that he is a Hall of Famer.

Since 1960, Ware ranks 11th in sacks. He had 138.5 during his career. It’s just a matter of time before he gets in.

Jared Allen also didn’t make it. He ranks 16th with 136. Sacks mean a lot when determining Hall of Famers. Ware has the numbers.

I’ve been voting in the Hall of Fame since 1988. I’ve been watching the ebbs and flows of how each year goes. In some years, first-ballot guys have to wait. Don’t panic. You still get the gold jacket when you get in.

What helped linebacker Sam Mills is that he’s a five-year finalist. He was in his last year before he became a senior and seniors have a have a hard time of resurfacing for a vote. Plus, he was deserving.

Ware didn’t get in this year. But his time is coming.

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