An ongoing back problem that has forced him to be held out of Denver’s organized team activities this week has caused Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware to withdraw from Friday night’s Port Arthur News Homecoming Roast of Wade Phillips.
“He feels terrible about this, but travel is difficult for him,” said Ware’s agent Randi Champman. “He is truly disappointed. DeMarcus thinks highly of Wade and was really looking forward to being a part of honoring him.”
Ware has promised to do a video that can be played at the roast.
“It’s unfortunate,” said roast chairman Bob West. “I had read about him being held out of the OTAs. It’s been obvious the Broncos have some concern.
He missed some games last year because of his back. I know a lot of fans from his days with the Cowboys were looking forward to seeing him and getting an autograph.
“One of the things I’ve learned in putting on these roasts is you have to be ready to roll with the punches. We lost Dan Rather as the emcee the night before the Ann Richards roast in 1992. Just last year we lost Earl Thomas as a Jamaal Charles roaster at the last minute.”
West also said he felt it was too late to line up a suitable replacement for Ware.
“We still have a strong lineup,” he said.”It’s going to be a terrific show.”