On the eve of the 2005 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Bill Parcells were in disagreement.
Parcells liked LSU defensive lineman Marcus Spears for the Cowboys’ 11th overall selection.
Jones was enamored with Troy University’s DeMarcus Ware.
Since he signed Parcells’s paychecks, Jones won the argument and Dallas took Ware.
Parcells didn’t stay grumpy for too long.
Spears was still available when the team picked again at number 20 and the coach got his man.
Ultimately, Ware and Spears played eight years together but Ware had the better career by far.
Congratulations to Cowboys great DeMarcus Ware on being inducted into the Hall of Fame! #CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/PSZIyI7GNJ
— Mad Cowboys Disease (@MadCowboysPod) February 10, 2023
As a Cowboy, and eventually a Denver Bronco, Ware was a nine-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL twice in sacks, and won Super Bowl 50.
He retired after the 2016 season as one of the best pass rushers in the history of the game.
Then, in 2023, Ware was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This is the story of DeMarcus Ware.
Born Leader
DeMarcus Omar Ware was born on July 31, 1982, in Auburn, Alabama.
Destiny smiled on Ware at a young age and he proved to be a natural athlete.
While attending Auburn High School, Ware played football, basketball, baseball, and track.
On the gridiron, Ware lined up on both sides of the ball as a receiver and linebacker.
He was well over six feet tall and had the ability to jump out of the stadium for receptions.
As a linebacker, Ware knocked down passes as well as opponents.
Mind-blowing to think that not only did Troy have 2 future NFL studs bookending their defense in Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware & 2x Super Bowl champ Osi Umenyiora, BOTH PLAYERS CAME FROM THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL — AUBURN! And both former NFL stars had a single college offer (Troy) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FikrmwSNCC
— Skye Underwood (@SkyeUnderwood) August 5, 2023
During his senior year, the Tigers were loaded with Ware and future NFL players Osi Umenyiora and Marcus Washington.
Auburn High won all its games that season and Ware was voted the program’s most valuable receiver, and most valuable linebacker (he had 55 tackles and seven sacks), and honored with the Top Leadership award.
In 2023, Ware’s number 8 was retired by the Tigers.
Small School, Big Talent
Ware was a good prep athlete who played multiple sports, but he had only suited up for the Tigers football team during his junior and senior years.
That left several big-name schools on the fence about Ware’s collegiate potential.
Troy University in Troy, Alabama reached out and offered him a scholarship and Ware jumped at the opportunity.
Although he had shined as a receiver in high school, the Trojans coaches envisioned Ware playing on the other side of the ball.
“I had one school that offered me a scholarship, which was Troy University. I ran like a 4.7. I was a 185-pound wide receiver coming out. And they said, ‘DeMarcus, when you get to Troy, we’re going to put you at defensive end,’” said Ware in 2023.
While Ware learned the finer points of defensive line play, the Trojans were in the midst of a transition from I-AA to I-A during his freshman year.
Throwback Thursday The College Years: Demarcus Ware, Troy State Trojans https://t.co/ai48QIoXku pic.twitter.com/yzRtDMLItI
— allthings18 (@ALLTHINGS18) November 21, 2019
By the end of his first year, it was evident that Ware needed to add weight to become effective.
“But it just got to a point where I got that scholarship, and we started playing these big schools like Marshall and Missouri, and I’m like, ‘I can’t play Nebraska at 185. Are you kidding me?’” said Ware.
Scary Moment Gives Ware a Wake-Up Call
During Ware’s recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he shared a story about a scary moment he encountered while in college.
He was home visiting family and attended a parking lot party with several members of his family.
While Ware was talking to his uncle, a man walked up and smacked his uncle across the face with a gun.
In the commotion, someone’s knife dropped to the ground and Ware picked it up.
The moment would change his life forever.
“A knife dropped to the ground and I picked it up,” said Ware. “When I looked up, all I could see was the potential shooter’s eyes and a gun barrel pressed against my head. All I heard was my family say, ‘Don’t kill him.’ There was an eerie silence, after which I simply said, ‘This isn’t me’ and I dropped the knife. At that moment, I knew God gave me a second chance and I had to do something with it. That was my turning point. The memory of those parking lot lights and the sounds of those screams of ‘don’t kill him’ became the fire that empowered me.”
Sufficiently fueled with a renewed purpose, Ware returned to Troy a changed man.
#CFB returns in 94 days
DeMarcus Ware – Troy pic.twitter.com/HFYray79ZL
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) May 24, 2023
He was named a starter for his sophomore year in 2002 and had 19.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.
Both numbers were ranked within the top 15 in the nation.
Umenyiora had followed his former high school teammate to Troy and the duo were nearly unstoppable.
Together, Ware and Umenyiora had 25 sacks and 40 tackles for a loss while the Trojans went 4-8.
Ware Piles Up the Accolades
In 2003, Troy was still developing as an I-A team and went 6-6.
Ware was developing as well, having grown to 6’4” and well over 200 pounds.
During his junior year, Ware had 62 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and six sacks.
Those stats brought him recognition as an I-A Independent Team member as well as a selection on the All-Sun Belt Team.
“He was one of those guys that did everything right, he went to class, he worked hard in the weight room, and did everything right,” Troy football head coach Larry Blakeney said of Ware. “He was able to develop from a guy who was basically a skill guy coming out of high school and turned himself into a very fast and ferocious player on the field.”
By 2004, the senior was one of the best small-school defensive ends in the country.
DeMarcus Ware (Troy Univ.) pic.twitter.com/BAU2pPYjxo
— American Football 画像 (@AFpicture_japan) August 31, 2013
Ware pounded ball carriers for 53 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, and 10.5 sacks (tops in the Sun Belt Conference).
After the Trojans won seven games and qualified for its first-ever bowl game (a loss to Northern Illinois in the Silicon Valley Bowl), Ware was further honored.
Along with another All-Sun Belt selection, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Since leaving college, Ware has had his number 94 retired by the program, been inducted into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, and was named as a member of the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team.
“Everyone should know that if you have a measure of ability and you’re willing to work hard, that everyone has a chance,” Blakeney said. “DeMarcus was the perfect example of a student-athlete coming to Troy, and doing everything with a purpose.”
Ware Gets a Label
Ware may have played at a small school, but he played like a giant and was noticed by every team in the NFL.
He left Troy as the school’s all-time best in career tackles for a loss (55.5) and still ranks second in program history with 27.5 sacks.
Stat of the Day:
The #SunBelt only has TWO #NFLDraft picks the last 20 years that went in the 1st Round. Both 1st Round Selections played for Troy University.
• DB Leodis McKelvin
• DE/LB DeMarcus Ware pic.twitter.com/bx0NnDGGty— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) May 14, 2020
During the NFL Combine before the 2005 NFL Draft, Ware ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, had 27 reps in the bench press (tied for fourth-best in his position group), and had a spectacular vertical jump of 38.5 (second-best among defensive ends).
Because of his size as well as his position in college, Ware exited the event labeled as a “tweener DE/OLB prospect” that scouts believed would need to play linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
Jones and Parcells Get their Guys
Watching from a distance was Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones and head coach Bill Parcells.
When the Combine ended, Jones wanted Ware to help improve the team’s 27th-ranked defense from 2004.
Parcells liked LSU defensive end Marcus “Swagu” Spears for his motor and versatility.
Never forget Bill Parcells wanted to draft Marcus Spears before DeMarcus Ware in 2005. GM Jerry Jones overruled. Yes Jerry got that 1 right
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 13, 2017
Both men strongly preferred their guy at the team’s 11th overall spot.
”He was my obvious choice,” Jones said in 2023. “And it was highly contentious that day. In fairness to Bill, Spears could play both for the 4-3 and the 3-4. And so in the transition to the 3-4 from the 4-3, Spears was easier to work with and could go either way. And that really was driving him.”
Neither Jones nor Parcells backed down an inch but it was clear the owner was going to have the final say.
As their pick neared on draft day, Parcells made a bet with Jones about Ware’s long-term ability and Jones accepted with a counter of his own to the bet.
Ultimately, Dallas took Ware with the 11th pick.
Here is Mel Kiper Jr. breaking down the selection of #Cowboys HOF EDGE DeMarcus Ware in the 2005 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/YlXveFuTgZ
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 20, 2023
Surprisingly, Spears was still available when the Cowboys were on the clock with their 20th overall selection.
Parcells was all smiles when Spears was picked and joined Ware for the 2005 season.
Not a Typical Rookie
Ware wasted no time cracking the starting lineup for the Cowboys as a rookie.
He was put at right outside linebacker and bagged his first career sack against San Francisco quarterback Tim Rattay in Week 3.
In Week 16 against Carolina, Ware had three sacks, tying a team record with Randy White for most sacks in a game.
Dallas missed the playoffs for the second year in a row but improved to nine wins (from six the year before) and the defense also improved to 12th overall in the NFL.
#CowboysNation
“Sharper EDGE Player!?!”If you had to pick one to start your defense???
–#Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware: 106 solo tackles, 25 assists, 19.5 sacks, 8 Forced Fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, 1 TD, in 1st 2 seasons…
–#DallasCowboys LB Micah Parsons: 106… pic.twitter.com/T6wnBIlscn
— Mark D. TalknBoysWitDaBoyZ (@MarkDsCorner) April 12, 2023
Ware wrapped his rookie year by netting 58 combined tackles, 15 tackles for loss, one pass defended, and eight sacks (tied for the team lead).
Jimmie Jones (1990) and Ware were the only rookies in team history to tie or lead the franchise in sacks during their first year.
Quarterbacks Beware
After a successful first season learning the ropes, Ware became one of the best young outside linebackers in football.
In 2006 he scored his first NFL touchdowns on a fumble return and an interception.
Ware also had 11.5 sacks which set a Dallas record for sacks in a season by a linebacker.
Dallas Cowboys legend… DeMarcus Ware (@DeMarcusWare)🏈👏
Learn more about the @dallascowboys all-time leader in sacks, DeMarcus Ware, in this week's 2021 @TXSportsHOF Inductee Spotlight
— Texas Sports Hall of Fame (@TXSportsHOF) July 26, 2021
After the season, Ware was selected for his first of nine Pro Bowls and also made the second-team All-Pro list.
The Cowboys made the playoffs with a 9-7 record but lost in the Wild Card round to Seattle after quarterback Tony Romo fumbled the hold on a field goal try at the end of regulation.
Parcells chose that moment to retire as a coach.
NFL lifer Wade Phillips took over in 2007 and Dallas won 13 games but lost in the Divisional round to the New York Giants.
Ware hounded quarterbacks 14 times and had a career-best 84 tackles.
2008 DeMarcus Ware or 2012 Aldon Smith 💪 pic.twitter.com/yWQSDPT8wV
— Beerly Football (@BeerlyFootball) March 26, 2022
In 2008, he turned things up a notch and led the NFL with 20 sacks (a career-high) and 27 tackles for loss (also a career-high).
For his efforts, Ware was the first player to receive the “Professional” Butkus Award for the best linebacker in the NFL.
Ware’s Career Nearly Ends
The 2009 season was humming along and the Cowboys were playing well.
Ware was in his fifth season and already several media outlets named him the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the business.
Even better, he had signed a six-year contract extension worth $78 million that made Ware one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL.
By Week 14 of the ‘09 season, Ware had proven that he was worth the money and was on his way to another double-digit sack total.
Then, during a contest against Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers that week, Ware’s career nearly ended.
As he bore down on Rivers with over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Ware missed the quarterback and went head-first into Chargers tackle Brandyn Dombrowski.
Never forget when DeMarcus Ware went from laying on a stretcher with a neck injury to than a week later helping seal the victory against the undefeated Saints in 2009 #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/Ip9D1xMNU5
— Ernie (@es3_09) July 13, 2023
Ware’s head and neck took the brunt of the force and the linebacker went down like a sack of bricks.
“Imagine somebody punches you and all of your wind goes out of your nose,” Ware said. “It stung a little bit. I’m lying there on the ground, looking around. I see the lights in the stadium.”
Spears, who had become one of Ware’s closest friends on the team, panicked.
“We look at D-Ware as Superman,” Spears said. “The dude didn’t get hurt. Didn’t really miss anything [Ware missed three games in nine seasons with Dallas]. When he’s first down, he’s not moving, and I’m like, ‘D, move something, bro.’ I think it was just initial shock.”
As the home crowd went silent, Dallas’s medical staff came rushing to Ware’s aid.
Thankfully, after a few worrisome moments, Ware began moving his hands, arms, and legs.
Business as Usual
The Chargers may have won the game, but Ware won the moment.
By the following day, he had been officially diagnosed with a sprained neck and promptly walked into the Cowboys’ facility.
“It felt like Superman was back in the building,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “You knew as long as DeMarcus Ware was out there that we were going to make it difficult on the opposing offense and quarterback. He’s one of the few guys that I’ve seen that had the ability to give the entire team confidence that if he’s out there, we’re going to be fine.”
Although he didn’t practice that week, Ware was cleared to play against the undefeated New Orleans Saints for Week 15.
DeMarcus Ware ending the Saints' chances at an undefeated season in 2009 pic.twitter.com/40PQ7AZ6gH
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 13, 2017
Wild horses couldn’t keep Ware at bay that afternoon and he had two strip sacks that cost the Saints as Dallas returned home with a 24-17 triumph.
“That’s the time we realized D-Ware is not like any of us,” Spears said, “and he’s better than all of us.”
Dallas ended the season 11-5 and beat Philadelphia in the Wild Card round.
It was the team’s first playoff victory since 1996.
One week later, however, the Cowboys lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 34-3, in the divisional round.
Ware had 11 sacks for the year and was voted to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
The Hits Keep Coming
For the next few years, Dallas struggled in the win column while Ware continued to establish himself as one of the best NFL defenders in history.
In 2010, he led the league in sacks for the second time after racking up 15.5.
#Cowboys sack leaders, past 11 seasons:
2017: Demarcus Lawrence – 13.5
2016: Benson Mayowa – 6
2015: Lawrence – 8
2014: Jeremy Mincey – 6
2013: Jason Hatcher – 11
2012: Demarcus Ware – 11.5
2011: Ware – 19.5
2010: Ware – 15.5
2009: Ware – 11
2008: Ware – 20
2007: Ware – 14 pic.twitter.com/bknZhvStnf— Dem Boyz Nation (@DemBoyzNation) December 7, 2017
That put him on a pedestal with five others (Mark Gastineau, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Michael Strahan, and Jared Allen) as the only players in NFL history who led the league in sacks twice.
Ware also had a touchdown on a fumble return and led the NFL with 21 tackles for a loss.
In 2011, he had 19.5 sacks (including four against the Eagles) but finished second to Allen who had 22.
Not to be outdone, Ware led the league again in tackles for loss with 26 and received the Butkus Award for the second time.
During Week 1 of the 2012 season, Ware bagged Giants quarterback Eli Manning twice and became the second fastest player (113 games) behind Reggie White to net 100 sacks.
As good as he was, Ware was hampered that year by a number of injuries that limited him to 11.5 sacks.
It was the seventh straight season that Ware posted double-digit sacks.
Ware Becomes a Bronco
In 2013, the Cowboys switched from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 and Ware became a defensive end for the first time since college.
During a Week 3 game against the Rams, Ware had a sack that gave him 114 for his career.
That passed former Cowboys great Harvey Martin for the most sacks in team history.
Despite the accomplishment, Ware finished the season with just six sacks, the lowest of his career at that point.
When the year ended, Dallas surprisingly released Ware.
.@DeMarcusWare always brought the energy. 🔥
His top moments on the 🎙: pic.twitter.com/ppOYF6c3tM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 5, 2023
There was no shortage of teams that wanted his services and one day after leaving Texas, Ware signed a three-year deal worth $30 million with $20 million guaranteed to become a Denver Bronco.
The Broncos then made more moves by signing defenders TJ Ward and Aqib Talib.
“We all have those leadership qualities and we can all help this team, this defense progress in that area,” Ward said. “Just experience, leadership, physical qualities — [I] think we’ve seen with Seattle last year that definitely defense wins championships.”
Ware’s first year as a Bronco went well and he had 10 sacks and an interception.
Your Denver Broncos play of the day:
Demarcus Ware puts the “fake spin” move on the leagues best Left Tackle Joe Staley on the Sunday Night matchup in 2014. Resulting in his 2nd sack of the day on Colin Kaepernick (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Ejj6H4NIv9
— Buzz Klis™🐝 (@BroncosBuzzv2) April 18, 2020
Denver went 12-4 but lost in the divisional round to the Indianapolis Colts.
2015
Before the 2012 season, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning was signed by the Broncos.
The organization went to Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 but was embarrassed 43-8.
Manning led the NFL’s top-ranked offense that year, but the defense was 22nd.
In order to reach the Promised Land and win it all, they obviously needed help on that side of the ball.
Wade Phillips: DeMarcus Ware was the Peyton Manning of Denver's defensehttps://t.co/cMP2IKKfkN pic.twitter.com/DCBb6uEqOS
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 13, 2017
The quarterback reached out to one of the best defenders in the game who just happened to be available in 2014.
“I just told him [Ware] that we needed him, needed a leader on defense, a veteran player that could hold guys accountable,” Manning said. “And he was just the perfect fit.”
Denver’s defense improved to 16th in 2014 but was laid low by Manning’s former team in the postseason.
To get over the hump, new Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak brought in Ware’s former Dallas coach, Wade Phillips, in 2015 as defensive coordinator.
The defense improved to fourth overall and Denver won 12 games while Ware had 7.5 sacks.
Ware and Denver Reach Super Bowl 50
After taking care of the Steelers in the Divisional round, Ware made sure to let his teammates know what was at stake against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
Congrats to DeMarcus Ware on the Hall Of Fame 👍👍Go Broncos 🏈🏈🏈🏈 pic.twitter.com/PY7cIMqEly
— BRONCO JEFF 26 (@jeff92809796) February 10, 2023
Before the game, Ware made a speech that still resonates with team members to this day.
“He walked up with luggage on wheels, and I’m like, ‘Where’s he going?’ Then he got to the front of the room and he opened it up and there was the Lombardi Trophy,’’ Ryan Harris, then a Denver tackle, recalled of Ware pulling out the first Super Bowl trophy won by the Broncos, in January 1998. “He slammed it down on the table and said, ‘This is what they’re trying to take from us. This is what we were built for, this moment.’ It was the greatest speech in the history of the playoffs.”
The Denver defense attacked Brady like a pack of wild dogs and landed over 20 blows to the quarterback.
Still, the Pats hung in and nearly tied the game with 12 seconds left.
However, a two-point conversion try by Brady didn’t go as planned.
With Ware breathing down his neck, Brady forced a throw to receiver Julian Edelman that was picked by the Broncos’ Bradley Roby.
Cowboys 'feel good' to see DeMarcus Ware in Super Bowl 50 https://t.co/V7JqCByuaI pic.twitter.com/fZUCxfuSqI
— Sporting News NFL (@sn_nfl) January 28, 2016
Ball game.
Ware was about to get a taste of his first-ever Super Bowl.
Super Bowl 50
The Carolina Panthers had a magical run in 2015.
Quarterback Cam Newton led the franchise to a 15-1 record and victories over Seattle and Arizona in the playoffs.
As the week of Super Bowl 50 approached, the Panthers were established as 5.5-point favorites over Denver.
Sure enough, the game was as advertised and both teams scratched for yards and points in the first half.
With the Broncos holding a slim 13-7 lead, Ware made a play that pushed Carolina out of field goal range.
🚨 PROGRAMMING ALERT🚨
In honor of @DeMarcusWare's selection for the Hall's Class of 2023, "America’s Game: The 2015 Denver Broncos (as told told by Peyton Manning, @VonMiller and DeMarcus Ware)" will be airing on @nflnetwork at 11:00 PM (EST) on Friday.
📹 @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/LDVfCWWVKO
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 15, 2023
That gave Denver a ton of confidence going into halftime.
“I’ve been in a lot of games, but going into the dressing room, you couldn’t have been at a bigger high than we were, because DeMarcus made the play that kept them out of field-goal range,” Phillips said. “That just rubber-stamped it, I guess, that they can’t beat us.”
In the second half, Denver slowly pulled away while Ware did everything in his power to win the game.
“There is no way that we were going out there and we were going to lose that game,” former teammate Von Miller said. “I wanted it so bad for DeMarcus. That was the only thing that he ever needed was to get a Super Bowl, and I think that was a huge factor in me being able to go out there and play the way I played.”
Eventually, the Broncos won, 24-10, and Ware finished the day with two sacks and five tackles to bring home his first title.
“I just remember being grateful that he chose Denver to come and play with us,” Manning said years later. “He was a big part of us winning that championship.”
Ware Retires
After the high of a Super Bowl victory, the Broncos couldn’t sustain the momentum and went 9-7 in 2016, missing the playoffs.
Ware stuck around for another season and had four sacks and 15 tackles and missed a chunk of the season with injuries to his elbow and back.
When the ‘16 season concluded, Ware hung up his cleats.
During a career in which he set a new standard for rushing the quarterback, Ware had 657 combined tackles, 171 tackles for loss, 138.5 sacks, eight fumble recoveries that included two returned for scores, 35 forced fumbles, 25 passes defended, and three interceptions for 44 return yards and a touchdown.
Ware was a Super Bowl champion, a nine-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, led the NFL in sacks twice and won the Butkus Award twice.
He has since been named to the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team and was added to the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2023.
Jerry Jones announces DeMarcus Ware will join Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. https://t.co/7Dxz5St4nV
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 23, 2023
That same year, Ware was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame becoming the first player from Troy University and the Sun Belt Conference to be so honored.
“That feeling, those memories of winning the Super Bowl, are near and dear to me,’’ Ware said. “They’re going to last forever. But now being inducted into the Hall of Fame, having all those guys come back, how cool is it going to be now to sort of relive those moments again?”
Life Since Retiring
It’s only been a few years since Ware retired, but he’s still regarded as one of the elite pass rushers in the history of the NFL.
In 2018, Ware competed in season 27 of Dancing with the Stars and was eliminated after seven weeks.
Ware has been married twice and has three children.
References
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10595442/demarcus-ware-denver-broncos-agree-30-million-deal
https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/demarcus-ware-broncos-greatest-speech-playoff-history
https://www.al.com/sports/2023/02/barely-recruited-demarcus-ware-awaits-hall-of-fame-call.html
https://news.yahoo.com/demarcus-ware-nfl-journey-went-143140489.html
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/combine/_/id/8210/demarcus-ware
https://troytrojans.com/honors/hall-of-fame/demarcus-ware/12
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38247199/cowboys-induct-demarcus-ware-ring-honor
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/37898838/how-cowboys-demarcus-ware-secured-nfl-hall-fame-legend
https://www.profootballhof.com/players/demarcus-ware/
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WareDe99.htm
NEXT: The Life And Career Of Bill Bates (Story)