"Are you with me or not?": Why DeMarcus Ware wont let his team take opportunity for granted

“Are you with me or not?”

That was DeMarcus Ware‘s message to his teammates. DeMarcus Ware is an 11-year pro, perennial pro-bowler and likely Hall-of-Fame linebacker, but his success on the field hasn’t translated to success in the playoffs.

His team lost the first four playoff games he played in. Two 13-3 teams, a 12-4 team and a 9-7 team all alike weren’t able to get it done in the postseason.

Ware won his first career postseason game on Sunday against Pittsburgh but he doesn’t want it to stop there. He knows his team has an opportunity for something great.

“I think with the young guys you have to put things in perspective,” Said Ware at his press conference on Wednesday. “They look at you and they say, ‘DeMarcus, you’ve played for 11 years,’ I look back at them and tell them,’When I was 13-3 I lost in the playoffs. When I was 9-7 I lost in the playoffs. When I was 12-4 I lost in the playoffs and guess what? I lost in the playoffs last year too.’ I say, ‘I’ve been in this thing 11 years, you have only been in this thing for 1 year and you have an opportunity to do something great.’ They ask me, ‘Are you ready?’ And I look at them and I say ‘What do you mean am I ready? I’ve lost four times and now have an opportunity to do something great and I ask you: Are you with me or not?”

A powerful question from a powerful player.

The Broncos are filled with stories like this. Even those that have tasted it before know not to take it lightly. Von Miller has been to the playoffs every year of his career but didn’t get to contribute the last time his team was at this stage.

“I think it means a bit more to me, Chris (Harris Jr.) and (Derek) Wolfe,” Miller said Wednesday. “We didn’t get to play in the last (AFC Championship game) one, I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Miller added, “We got DeMarcus his first playoff win last week. We want to keep that going for him. It’s special for him and it’s special for me too, for one of my Idols growing up, a guy I have the upmost respect for, I want it just as bad as he wants it.”

Von is with you, DeMarcus.

Peyton Manning is heading into his fifth AFC Championship game and has the Broncos in position to reach their second Super Bowl in three seasons under his watch, but knows how difficult it is to make it to this game.

“It’s not something you take for granted. To play in the AFC Championship is a tremendous opportunity and honor” pic.twitter.com/0nlES9YIiu

— Adam Kinney (@AdamKinneyRadio) January 20, 2016

Manning also told a story speaking fondly of watching the first Patriots-Broncos game this season alongside the also injured DeMarcus Ware and proud that both of them will get to make an impact on the field this time around.

Peyton is with you, DeMarcus.

This is my fourth season covering the Denver Broncos. I’ve been extremely fortunate to get the opportunity to cover a team of this caliber. To cover four division titles, to cover a Super Bowl, and have that same team be the one I watched growing up, I consider myself very fortunate.

As a fifth generation Colorado native and fan of the team since the mid-90’s, I know these moments are fleeting and the chances to get to the biggest stage are few and far between. I’m relishing every moment I get to cover a winner while the alternative options in this town consist of franchises in their bleakest times.

I am with you, DeMarcus.

How about you, Broncos Country? It was just two years ago you got to root your team to the Super Bowl, but your next chance after Sunday, may not happen for a long time. Are you with them?