HOUSTON – The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation are excited to announce that University of Houston legend Andre Ware has been selected to be a part of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025.  

Ware, a former UH quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, joins the 2025 Class alongside Houston Oilers Legend Kenny Houston and former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor. 

“Honored, surprised, blown away and just appreciative of this city,” said Ware after learning of his induction into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. “The names that have gone into this are legendary and to be going in with them, it’s mind-blowing.” 

Born and raised in Galveston, Andre Ware’s passion for football began at an early age. After graduating from Dickinson High School, Ware took his talents to the University of Houston, where he made history as the first player in school history to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1989. 

Ware’s collegiate career was one for the record books, especially his junior year when he won the Heisman. That season, Ware threw for 4,699 yards, 46 touchdowns and set 27 NCAA passings records during an 11-game stretch which saw the Cougars run-and-shoot offense take the country by storm.   

“College football has fallen in love with the spread offense and there are very few that ran that style better or more effectively than Andre Ware,” said Daniel Gotera, Sr. Director of Communications for the HCHSA. “Andre’s passion for the city is obvious so it’s our honor to have him be included in the most exclusive athletic club H-Town has.” 

Throughout his career, Ware’s accomplishments extended beyond his Heisman Trophy win. He was a two-time All-American and led UH to a Southwest Conference championship in 1989.  

In 1990, Ware was drafted by the Detroit Lions and went on to play close to a decade of professional football in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League. 

Off the field, Ware has continued to make a positive impact in the Houston community through various charitable initiatives and has stayed engaged in the game he loves. Since 2002, he has worked alongside Marc Vandermeer as the color analyst for the Houston Texans radio broadcasts. Since 2003, he has worked as an in-game broadcaster and analyst for college football on ESPN.  

Andre Ware, Kenny Houston and Van Chancellor will be honored in January as part of the distinguished class of 2025.