Ware became the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy while playing at the University of Houston in 1989 and setting 26 NCAA records. As a result he was a first round draft pick (#7 overall) of the Detroit Lions of the NFL in 1990 and joined 1988 Heisman winner Barry Sanders in the backfield. Playing in the “Run and Shoot Offense” with great success at the college level, he couldn't master the pro level version of offense as used by the Lions. He played in only 14 games for the Lions until his release in 1993. He signed on with the Raiders, but remained on their practice roster in 1994.
Ware came north to sign with Ottawa in June of 1995, but was released after the season. Ware then signed with BC, but was released after only four games in July of 1996. Toronto signed him in June of 1997 and released him after the season was over.
After a year away from football, Ware played one year with the Berlin Thunder in NFL Europe when a fractured shoulder ended his career. Ware is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and is currently a partner in a computer firm based in Houston.
[Bio by Wes Cross]
ESPN feature on Andre Ware - 2002
Complete NFL stats for Andre Ware
| Year | Team | GP | PA | PC | % | Yds | TD | Int | Sacked | Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | OTT | 7 | 129 | 70 | 55.6 | 759 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 1996 | BC | 4 | 97 | 49 | 50.5 | 590 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1997 | TOR | 18 | 26 | 15 | 57.7 | 193 | 2 | 0 |
| Year | Team | TC | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | OTT | 20 | 148 | 7.4 | 0 | 25 |
| 1996 | BC | 14 | 108 | 7.7 | 0 | 27 |
| 1997 | TOR | 6 | 60 | 10 | 1 | 39 |
| Year | Team | F | FL | OFR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | OTT | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | BC | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | TOR | 1 | 1 | 0 |
