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Former UH star Ware to join HOF

Cougar Sports Services

Just as Clyde Drexler served as a reminder Monday of the Cougars' storied basketball past, another Cougar did the same for the football team Tuesday.

Former UH quarterback Andre Ware was announced Tuesday as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame's class of 2004, which will become a part of the Hall on Dec. 7 of this year.

Ware played for the Cougars from 1987 through 1989. After his junior season ('89), Ware became the first Cougar to win the Heisman Trophy -- the most prestigious individual honor in college football, given to the most outstanding player for the season.

During that wild 1989 season, Ware completed 365 passes for 4,699 yards and threw 46 touchdown passes. The Cougars run 'n' shoot offense churned out 625 yards and 53 points per game for the season, leading the nation in both categories.

In his three seasons at UH (two as the full-time starter), Ware completed a total of 660 passes for 8,202 yards and 75 touchdowns, good for a career rating of 143.5.

Ware decided to forego his final year of eligibility, instead declaring himself eligible for the 1990 NFL Draft, where he was No. 7 chosen by the Detroit Lions in the first round.

But Ware struggled in the NFL, and after four disappointing seasons, he signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League. Ware now works as a game analyst for Houston Texans games on 610 KILT-AM.

With his induction later this year, Ware will become the second member of the UH football program to earn a place in the Hall. Legendary head coach Bill Yeoman, who led the Cougars from 1962-86 and won 160 games, was the first.

The other members of the 2004 class will be former players Bob Anderson of Army, Tony Casillias of Oklahoma, Frank Emanuel of Tennessee, Ray Guy of Southern Miss, Wayne Harris of Arkansas, Joe Kapp of California, James Mandich of Michigan, Lydell Mitchell of Penn State, Tracy Rocker of Auburn, Jack Tatum of Ohio State and Charles Young of Southern California.

The class also includes two coaches, Brigham Young's Lavell Edwards and George Welsh of Navy and Virginia.

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