DWare News

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware will be one of three NFL players competing for the charity of his choice in the Pepsi Refresh Project--part of the Pepsi Refresh Everything Campaign.

Ware, Mark Sanchez and Drew Brees each put together a video in association with PepsiCo and the NFL, aimed at funding worthwhile projects nation- and even world-wide. The winner--to be voted on by you, the people--will receive a $100,000 grant for his charity. Fans can see the videos and vote at the league's official website, here.

Ware will compete for Jonathan's Place, a Dallas emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children. "I want to help provide a safe environment for abused, abandoned and neglected children by supporting Jonathan's Place," Ware said in a statement. "With your help we can improve their lives with better medical care, counseling, clothing, food and shelter." Established in 1994, Jonathan's Place provides emergency relief for children, from infants to 17-year-olds. It is the only licensed local shelter providing emergency relief for children under the age of ten.
Voting ends on February 5, 2010. Fans can either vote online here, or by texting "DEMARCUS" to PEPSI (73774).

BY Scott Crisp // Saturday, Jan 30, 2010

COMPLETE ALL-DECADE TEAM REVEALED DURING ESPN’S PRO BOWL BROADCAST ON SUNDAY, JAN. 31

The NFL’s annual Pro Bowl is a celebration of the season’s best.  The 2010 version is also a chance to honor some of the decade’s biggest stars.

Twelve players named to the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team will compete in Sunday’s Pro Bowl before a sellout crowd in excess of 70,000.  Broadcast live on ESPN at 7:20 p.m. ET from Sun Life Stadium, the Pro Bowl will for the first time be held prior to the Super Bowl and serve as the signature kickoff event of Super Bowl week.

The complete 2000s NFL All-Decade team will be revealed during a special Pro Bowl edition of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown (5:30 p.m. ET).

The members of the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team that will see action in Sunday’s Pro Bowl.

The 12 2010 All-Stars to be selected to the All-Decade team have been named to the Pro Bowl a combined 77 times.

This is a tremendous honor for me to be recognized as one of the best out of all the safeties who have played in the NFL this decade,” says Denver safety BRIAN DAWKINS, who was selected to his eighth career Pro Bowl and is one of the four All-Decade safeties.  “To know I’ve been able to do the things I’ve been able to do, with the help of my teammates, to earn a spot on the league’s All-Decade Team means a lot.”

The NFL All-Decade teams are chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members.  The 2000s will mark the ninth All-Decade team to be selected in NFL history.

This decade’s 53-player team will be comprised of two quarterbacks, four running backs, one fullback, four wide receivers, two tight ends, four offensive tackles, four guards, two centers, four defensive tackles, four defensive ends, six linebackers, four cornerbacks, four safeties, two kickers, two punters, two kick returners and two punt returners.  Two head coaches have also been chosen.

All-Stars from the Super Bowl competing teams will not participate in the Pro Bowl, but they will attend the game and be honored as part of the pregame festivities.  Three of those players have also been selected to the All-Decade Team: quarterback PEYTON MANNING and defensive end DWIGHT FREENEY of the Colts and safety DARREN SHARPER of the Saints.

NFL/Michael Signora

IRVING – Jay Ratliff, a tight end at the start of his collegiate career, joined the ranks of elite NFL defensive linemen Thursday.

Ratliff and Cowboys defensive teammate DeMarcus Ware, the pass-rushing outside linebacker, were named first team All Pro in media voting conducted by The Associated Press. It marked the first time the Cowboys' defense has had multiple first-team selections since 1996, when cornerback Deion Sanders and safety Darren Woodson were honored.

This was Ware's third selection. He was delighted to receive the recognition in what has been an injury-plagued season but was more pleased for Ratliff.

"I'm really happy for Jay," Ware said. "He deserves it. From where he came from to making the Pro Bowl and now All Pro, it lets everybody know he has arrived."

Ratliff, a seventh-round draft choice from Auburn in 2005, performs double duty on defense. In the three-man front, he lines up as a nose tackle and usually takes on double-team blocks. In the four-man front, Ratliff moves to a tackle spot to rush the passer. He tied for third in the league for sacks by tackles with six.

"It's a blessing, and I thank God for it," said Ratliff, who also praised position coach Todd Grantham and his teammates. "But there's still a lot of work to."

Five other Cowboys received votes, with Andre Gurode finishing second among centers. The others were tight end Jason Witten, wide receiver Miles Austin, offensive guard Leonard Davis and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer.

By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News