Meet the Dancing With the Stars Contestant Who Jumped Five Feet Into the Air and Over His Partner
He's a 36-year-old former all-pro linebacker and Super Bowl champion. His height comes in at approximately one-and-a-half Mary Lou Rettons. His name is DeMarcus Ware, but after the season 27 premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Sept, 24, I'm calling him DeMarcus Ware-have-you-been-all-my-life.
If you fell asleep early, you may have missed him. DWTS is notorious for trotting out a notable performer at end the season premiere episode, just to keep you hanging on until the last minute. After two hours celebrating several highs and lamenting one big embarrassing low (hang in there, Grocery Store Joe), DeMarcus Ware cha-cha-cha’d his way into the hearts of the judges, as well as the hyped up crowd.
Does this surprise anyone? The guy is an athletic beast. After playing college football at Troy, he was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. He played with the team for eight years where he pretty much killed it. He was the all-time leader in quarterback sacks with the number one hundred and seventeen by his name. He also played three seasons for the Denver Broncos where he picked up a little bling in the form of a Super Bowl championship ring.
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DeMarcus is the latest in a long line of NFL players who traded their football jersey in for a bright purple blazer embellished with sequined piping down the sleeve. The technique and stamina these guys had on the football field transfers seamlessly to the ballroom. In fact, Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward, Donald Driver, and Rashad Jennings have all won their respective seasons of DWTS. Could DeMarcus be next? Based on his performance on the season 27 premiere, I’d say he definitely has a shot. And I’m not talking about his ability to literally leap over his partner’s contorted back bended body.
Here’s the deal: DeMarcus has rhythm. To quote judge Bruno Tonioli, he’s both "strong as titanium and light as a feather.”
I totally get it. DeMarcus doesn’t necessarily loom over his dance partner, but he is a big guy who moves around the ballroom like he’s lived there his entire life. He’s comfortable in the space and doesn’t appear to have any nerves. It’s another benefit of being a pro-athlete; He’s used to the electricity that accompanies live audiences.
On another note, DeMarcus has, in my humble opinion, one of the best pro choreographers as a partner. Lindsay Arnold knows how to enhance her partner’s talents, while pushing them beyond their comfort zone. Lindsay has what it takes to help showcase DeMarcus’ effervescent personality, megawatt smile, and his natural ability to shake what his mama gave him. She’s also pretty brilliant for putting him in a silver rhinestone jacket that looks a lot like a Mirror Ball Trophy when he busts out a few spins. Subliminal messaging at its finest. My guess is that DeMarcus will be bench pressing Lindsay above his head by week four. Bonus points if he’s shirtless while doing it.
