Ware stuns NFL with retirement

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. DeMarcus Ware won’t be returning to either the Dallas Cowboys or the Denver Broncos as expected.

The 12-year NFL veteran is instead retiring from the NFL.

Ware announced his decision Monday on Twitter.

Next to a split image of the Cowboys and Broncos, Ware wrote, “After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to accept the unknown and retire from my NFL career. Tempting opportunities still present themselves for me to play and I feel better than I have in years. However, long-term health of quality of life outweigh the spark and passion to play that I once had.” Ware’s decision is a shocker. Just two months ago, he scoffed at those suggesting he might have played his last NFL game after he missed the Broncos’ season finale to undergo lower back surgery.

Hours before Ware announced his retirement, Broncos general manager John Elway said, “He’s going to test the market to see what’s out there. I told him that’s probably the best thing to do at this point in time and we’ll stay in touch and see where he is.”

After he announced his retirement, the Broncos tweeted, “See you in Canton.”

Ware retires with 138 1/2 sacks, eighth on the career list.

The Cowboys’ all-time sacks leader with 117, Ware joined the Broncos as part of Elway’s defensive makeover in 2014.

Ware totalled 81 tackles and 21 1/2 sacks in Denver and had a terrific playoff performance two seasons ago with a dozen quarterback hits during the Broncos’ run to their Super Bowl 50 title.

Injuries took their toll , however. He missed five games in 2015 with a back injury that first flared up in Dallas, and six games last season with a broken forearm and more back troubles.