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          Football world reacts to DeMarcus Ware's retirement on social media

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          Ware announces his retirement (2:08)

          ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold shares DeMarcus Ware's mindset over the past year and some of the comments he previously made about his quality of life after the NFL. (2:08)

          • ESPN.com
          Mar 13, 2017, 11:15 PM

          The pro football community was quick to express a variety of emotions on social media in the wake of linebacker DeMarcus Ware's retirement from the NFL on Monday.

          After 12 years in the NFL, Ware announced his decision in an Instagram post.

          It's time ... After a lot of thought and prayer, I've decided to accept the unknown and retire from my NFL career. Tempting opportunities still present themselves for me to play and I feel better than I have in years. However, long term health and quality of life outweigh the spark and passion to play that I once had. With that, I take this opportunity to thank all of the people in my life who had a hand in molding me into a great player and the God fearing man I am today. I thank the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos for opportunities to experience what greatness feels like. I will miss my teammates, coaches, and fans, who supported me over the years. I'm hanging up my cleats and beginning the journey to my next destination. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7, KJV

          A post shared by Demarcus Ware (@demarcusware) on

          The two NFL teams for which Ware played, the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, acknowledged his retirement on Twitter. His college team, the Troy Trojans, did the same. Dallas included a #CowboyForLife hashtag while Denver implied that Ware's next destination is Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

          The NFL published a compilation of Ware's highlights during which current players extended praise for the nine-time Pro Bowl selection. Ware, a Super Bowl champion with the Broncos in 2016, received congratulatory messages from Denver general manager John Elway along with teammates Von Miller and Aqib Talib.

          Several other current and former players also used social media to shout out Ware, who was universally respected across the league.

          @demarcusware Congrats Big Bro We will miss you my dude #Legend #Goat #HOF

          A post shared by Chris Harris Jr (@chrisharrisjr) on

          Ware, who will turn 35 this summer, is eighth on the NFL's all-time sacks list with 138½. The Cowboys selected Ware with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft.

          -- Nick Ostiller