Cowboys legend named finalist for 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

DeMarcus Ware is one step closer to Canton.

The former Cowboys defensive end/linebacker is one of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame announced Thursday.

LB/DE @DeMarcusWare has been selected as a Finalist for the HOF Class of 2022.#PFHOF22 | @dallascowboys | @Broncos pic.twitter.com/YjDR7N487F

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 30, 2021

Ware had an amazing career for the Cowboys and Denver Broncos from 2005-16. He made nine Pro Bowls and led the NFL in sacks twice — in 2008 and 2010. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2016.

For his career, Ware had 654 tackles, 138.5 sacks, 35 forced fumbles and three interceptions over 11 years. Now, he’s got the Hall of Fame in his sights as a finalist in his first year of eligibility.

The hall of fame will announce its 2022 class during Super Bowl week in February.

Here is the full list of finalists from the Class of 2022, via the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Ronde Barber, Cornerback/Safety – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)
• LeRoy Butler, Safety – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers
• Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
• Sam Mills, Linebacker – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers
• Richard Seymour, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders
• Zach Thomas, Linebacker – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys
• DeMarcus Ware, Linebacker/Defensive End – 2005-2013 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-16 Denver Broncos
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Patrick Willis, Linebacker – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
• Bryant Young, Defensive Tackle/Defensive End – 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers

Up to five players can be elected to the hall of fame. Three others are being inducted in 2022, as well. Dick Vermeil is entering as a coach, Art McNally is going in as a contributor and Cleff Branch is going in as a senior.