DeMarcus Ware dedicates national anthem performance to late teammate Demaryius Thomas

DeMarcus Ware can add singing to his Hall of Fame resume.

Ware, who played for the Dallas Cowboys (2005–2013) and Denver Broncos (2014–2016) during his 12-year NFL career, performed the national anthem ahead of the Hall of Fame Game preseason opener between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on Thursday in Canton, Ohio, where he will soon be enshrined forever with a bronze bust and gold jacket.

Ware will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday as part of the 2023 class.

The Super Bowl 50 champion admitted he was nervous ahead of time — "I wasn’t even this nervous during the Super Bowl. This is the most nervous that I have ever been in my life" — but you wouldn't be able to tell as he sung along to the piano and held an epic closing note.

Ware flashed a smile and his signature dimples after he concluded.

"Good for you DeMarcus Ware. That was cool," play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said. Analyst Cris Collinsworth added, "I've never cheered so hard for a football player in my whole life."

Watch Ware's full performance below.

Ware dedicated his performance to late Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas, who would sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the sidelines with him before games. Thomas, a key part of the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 team that defeated the Carolina Panthers in 2016, died at age 33 in December 2021 from complications of a seizure disorder.

"This is the reason why I ended up doing it, because me and Demaryius would be on the sidelines singing the national anthem," Ware recalled Thursday. "He's not here right now but I knew he was going to be there with me... while I was singing."

Ware said the opportunity "meant so much" to him.

Ware learned a love for music from his mother, Brenda, and his Uncle Willie. In high school, he was the singer for Mirage, a band he formed with his buddies. In a 2016 essay on The Players' Tribune, Ware recalled fond memories of growing up in Alabama with his uncle playing the guitar and reflected on how music helped him balance his football life as "oasis from it all."

DEMARCUS WARE: Singing national anthem for Hall of Fame game is 'most nervous' he's been

Ware finished his football days ninth in NFL history with 138.5 career sacks, earning him a place in the hallowed halls of Canton. He joins New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko, Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Rondé Barber, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley, New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis and coach Don Coryell in the Class of 2023.

Contributing: Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY