Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware are both former NFL players who have achieved success in their careers. Spencer Ware was a running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Kansas City Chiefs, winning Super Bowl LIV with the latter. DeMarcus Ware was an outside linebacker who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowl 50 with the latter. Both players have also retired from the NFL and are involved in various ventures outside of football.
But are Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware related? Many fans have wondered if the two players share a family connection, given their similar last names and positions. The answer is no, they are not related. Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware have different backgrounds, origins, and histories. Here are some facts about each player that show how they are different.
Contents
Spencer Ware: From Cincinnati to Kansas City
Spencer Ware was born on November 23, 1991, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Princeton High School, where he played both linebacker and wide receiver. He also played baseball and ran track in high school. He was a three-star recruit who chose to play college football at LSU.
At LSU, Ware played as a running back and was part of the 2011 team that won the SEC championship and reached the BCS national championship game. He also played baseball for LSU as an outfielder. He decided to enter the 2013 NFL Draft after his junior season.
Ware was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played in two games as a rookie, but was released by the Seahawks in 2014. He signed a futures contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 and became a key contributor to their offense. He led the team in rushing yards in 2016 with 921 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 447 receiving yards and two touchdowns that season.
Ware suffered a knee injury in the 2017 preseason that sidelined him for the entire year. He returned in 2018 and played in 13 games, starting two of them. He had 246 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with 224 receiving yards. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, but was placed on injured reserve before the season started. He rejoined the Chiefs later that year and won Super Bowl LIV with them. He retired from the NFL in 2020.
Ware is currently the owner of Yeslawd -YL, a clothing brand that he founded in 2018. According to its website, Yeslawd -YL is “a lifestyle brand that represents positivity, motivation, and inspiration.” Ware is also a father of three children.
DeMarcus Ware: From Auburn to Denver
DeMarcus Ware was born on July 31, 1982, in Auburn, Alabama. He attended Auburn High School, where he played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. In football, he played as a defensive end and linebacker. He was a two-star recruit who chose to play college football at Troy University.
At Troy, Ware played as a defensive end and was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. He led the nation in sacks as a junior with 16 and was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. He also set school records for career sacks (27) and tackles for loss (55).
Ware was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 11th overall pick. He played for the Cowboys from 2005 to 2013 and became one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. He made nine Pro Bowls, four All-Pro teams, and led the league in sacks twice (2008 and 2010). He also holds the Cowboys’ franchise record for career sacks with 117.
Ware signed with the Denver Broncos in 2014 and played for them until 2016. He helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers, recording two sacks on Cam Newton in the game. He retired from the NFL after the 2016 season with 138.5 career sacks, which ranks ninth all-time.
Ware was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 along with Chuck Howley according to Dallas News. He is also a pass-rush consultant for the Broncos since 2018 according to ESPN. He is also an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, fitness trainer, and philanthropist. He has four children from his previous marriage.
Conclusion: No Relation Between Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware
Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware are both former NFL players who have achieved success in their careers. However, they are not related by blood or by marriage. They have different backgrounds, origins, and histories. They also played for different teams and at different times in their careers.
The only thing they have in common is their last name, which is a coincidence. Ware is a common surname that has various origins and meanings. According to Ancestry, Ware can be derived from the Old English word “waru”, meaning “goods” or “merchandise”, or from the Old French word “ware”, meaning “cautious” or “prudent”. Ware can also be a locational name, derived from places named Ware in Hertfordshire and Devon, England.
Therefore, Spencer Ware and DeMarcus Ware are not related, but they are both respected and admired by many fans and peers for their accomplishments on and off the field.