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

DeMarcus Ware knows what it's like to be on a big stage. His 12-year NFL career included time with the Dallas Cowboys and winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos. On Thursday, he will not just be representing America's Team, but the entire country as he is set to perform the national anthem ahead of the Hall of Fame game.

“You can never be ready for that,” Ware, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, told The Dallas Morning News in an article published the day of the matchup between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. “There’s ways you can prepare for it and have ample amount of vocal lessons. But when you get up there and when the crowd goes silent, it’s your turn to get up there and sing to the whole United States of America on what it stands for. And that is huge.”

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."

His professional career went down the football road, but he kept music close. He enjoyed singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" on the sidelines with late Broncos teammate Demaryius Thomas. He 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 tackle Joe Thomas, coach Don Coryelle among others in the Class of 2023.

The announcement that Ware would sing the anthem was made in May, and he said in the new interview that he's been preparing for what might be his biggest moment yet.

“Before I even get up there and speak about myself [on Saturday], it’s an added pressure,” he said of singing for a national audience. “I feel really good about both. The emotions are going to be really high for two days. This right here, I wasn’t even this nervous during the Super Bowl. This is the most nervous that I have ever been in my life, and I haven’t even gotten there yet.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeMarcus Ware 'nervous' to sing national anthem for Hall of Fame game