DeMarcus Ware is more than just a talented football player. He's a good sportsman. And yes, that does matter. Not surprisingly, in the same week Ware was nominated for the inaugural NFL Sportsmanship Award, he was spending some time with his fans.
While DeMarcus Ware was in Arizona for the Pro Bowl, he participated in the Marriott Rewards "Most Passionate Fan Experience." During this fan experience six fans got to spend some time with their favorite player. Wes Green, one of the Mile High Monsters, was one of the lucky fans. His favorite player is Denver Broncos very own DeMarcus Ware.
Other players that participated in the "Most Passionate Fan Experience" this year were Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Travis Kelce, and John Brown.
It was announced shortly after the Pro Bowl that DeMarcus Ware was one of eight nominees for the first NFL Sportsmanship Award which is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney. The other seven football players nominated for the award are Thomas Davis (Carolina), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona), Chad Greenway (Minnesota), Calvin Johnson (Detroit), Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh), Matthew Slater (New England) and Alex Smith (Kansas City). The winner will be announced Saturday, January 31st.
.@DeMarcusWare up for @NFL’s Sportsmanship Award — an honor of the highest order. MORE: [http://t.co/qtIN1zB9yD] pic.twitter.com/yGu2ElWNeC
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 28, 2015
Sportsmanship is an underrated quality. Luckily it turns out a lot of athletes don't spend all of their time in the "what's in it for me" universe that some athletes have seemingly never ventured out of. Some of them, like Ware and his fellow nominees, spend their time away from the field in their communities at events like the Wings for Life World Run.
I for one credit Ware with bringing my Von Miller jersey, which was in danger of being used solely as a 'don't let this happen to you' lesson for my kids, out of my closet and back into my rotating Broncos game-day wardrobe.
The NFL's Sportsmanship Award winner will be announced the evening of Saturday, January 31.
Best of luck to Ware and all of the nominess!