{{Short description|American football player (born 1962)}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Riley Ware |image= |number=29, 26<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/175816096/ | title=Tampa Bay vs. Detroit | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=August 17, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=6C}}</ref><ref name="pfa">{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/w/ware00785.html | title=Riley Ware | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> |position=Defensive back |birth_date=1966 or 1967 (aged 58–59) |birth_place= |height_ft=5 |height_in=10 |weight_lbs=170 |high_school=Cypress Lake {{nowrap|(Cypress Lake, Florida)}} |college=Western Kentucky |undraftedyear=1990 |pastteams= * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|1991}})* * Tampa Bay Storm ({{AFL Year|1991}}) * Cincinnati Rockers ({{AFL Year|1992}}) * Charlotte Rage ({{AFL Year|1993}})* * Orlando Predators ({{AFL Year|1993}}) * Massachusetts Marauders ({{AFL Year|1994}}) * Charlotte Rage ({{AFL Year|1995}}) * St. Louis Stampede ({{AFL Year|1995}}) * Connecticut Coyotes ({{AFL Year|1996}})* * Charlotte Rage ({{AFL Year|1996}}) |highlights= * ArenaBowl champion (1991) * Second-team All-Arena (1994) |aflstatlabel1=Tackles |aflstatvalue1=199.5 |aflstatlabel2=Interceptions |aflstatvalue2=17 |aflstatlabel3=Pass breakups |aflstatvalue3=36 |aflstatlabel4=Returns |aflstatvalue4=102 |aflstatlabel5=Return yards |aflstatvalue5=1,732 |afl=1659 }} '''Riley Ware III''' (born 1966 or 1967) is an American former professional football defensive back who played six seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Tampa Bay Storm, Cincinnati Rockers, Orlando Predators, Massachusetts Marauders, Charlotte Rage, and St. Louis Stampede. He played college football at Western Kentucky University, and signed with the Detroit Lions in 1991 after a year out of football. He was waived by the Lions in August 1991 and made his AFL debut in ArenaBowl V that same month. Ware was named second-team All-Arena while playing for the Massachusetts Marauders in 1994. He was later the head coach of the Florida Stingrays of the American Indoor Football Association in 2008. ==Early life and college== Riley Ware III was born in 1966 or 1967,<ref name="seek"/> and grew up in Fort Myers, Florida.<ref name="NFL">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175806883/ | title=Cypress grad Ware takes shot at NFL career | work=News-Press | date=April 28, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Cristodero, Damian | pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175806909/ 9B]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/175815626/ | title=Western, Eastern fire up for classic confrontation in I-AA playoffs | work=The Courier-Journal | date=December 1, 1988 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Branch, Bruce, W. | pages=E5}}</ref> He played high school football and basketball at Cypress Lake High School in Cypress Lake, Florida. Ware was named to ''The News-Press'' All-Southwest Florida basketball team. He graduated from Cypress Lake in 1985.<ref name="NFL"/>
In April 1985, Ware verbally committed to play college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175821825/ | title=Brown-bound ... | work=News-Press | date=April 21, 1985 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Wilkie, Donnie | pages=6C}}</ref> He was redshirted in 1985 and was on the main roster from 1986 to 1989.<ref name="Det"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader/175821958/ | title=Western Kentucky roster | work=Lexington Herald-Leader | date=August 31, 1986 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=6}}</ref> Ware missed part of the 1986 season due to appendicitis.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal/175821899/ | title=Western could be getting close to recapturing some old magic | work=The Courier-Journal | date=August 24, 1986 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Terhune, Jim | pages=10}}</ref> He was a two-year letterman from 1988 to 1989.<ref name="pfa"/> In November 1988, Ware reported to police that an amplifier and a case of cassettes, altogether worth $565, had been stolen from his 1988 Nissan that was parked in a college parking lot.<ref name="car">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news/175822436/ | title=One treated when car hits cow | work=The Park City Daily News | date=November 21, 1988 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=3}}</ref> $150 worth of damage was also done to the Nissan.<ref name="car"/> Ware started seven games his senior year in 1989 and posted 26 tackles.<ref name="NFL"/> He graduated from Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in May 1991.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175815695/ | title=Graduates | work=News-Press | date=September 3, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=4B}}</ref><ref name="NFL"/> In August 1995, ''The Park City Daily News'' named Ware as an honorable mention on its 1985–1995 Western Kentucky All-Decade team.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-park-city-daily-news/175807053/ | title=Medley's All-10-Year WKU Football Team | work=The Park City Daily News | date=August 31, 1995 | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref>
==Professional career== Ware went undrafted in the 1990 NFL draft. After not playing football at all in 1990, Ware attended minicamp with the Detroit Lions in March 1991.<ref name="NFL"/> Afterwards, he signed with the Lions on March 22, 1991, with the Lions' director of pro scouting Ron Hughes stating "I think he's competitive and he has speed."<ref name="NFL"/><ref name="Det">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175814851/ | title=Lions sign four free agents | work=Lansing State Journal | date=March 23, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=2D}}</ref> Ware was waived on August 13, 1991.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/danville-register-and-bee/175814999/ | title=NFL camps | work=Danville Register and Bee | date=August 14, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=5C}}</ref>
Several days prior to ArenaBowl V, the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) were short on defensive backs due to injuries. Detroit Lions assistant coach Len Fontes, who was the brother of Tampa Bay Storm defensive coordinator John Fontes and Lions head coach Wayne Fontes, called John to offer him the services of Riley Ware. Ware signed with the Storm, stating that he was heading back to Fort Myers anyway. He was penciled into the team's starting lineup despite never having played arena football, with John Fontes stating "It's a little scary having a guy back there who's never played Arena Football before."<ref name="storm">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/175806981/ | title=A little brotherly help | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=August 17, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=6C}}</ref> On August 17, 1991, in the ArenaBowl against the Detroit Drive, Drive receiver Gary Mullen beat Ware for a 34-yard reception on the Drive's first offensive play. Mullen then scored a ten-yard touchdown over Ware on the next play.<ref name="ab">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/175815461/ | title=Rude welcome | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=August 18, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=7C}}</ref> However, the Storm ended up winning the game by a score of 48–42.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1991arfltb.html | title=1991 Tampa Bay Storm (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> Ware received an ArenaBowl championship ring.<ref name="Ring">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/176241946/ | title=Tonight's game | work=The Tampa Tribune | date=June 29, 1996 | accessdate=8 July 2025 | author=Gaddis, Carter}}</ref>
Ware followed Storm head coach Fran Curci to the Cincinnati Rockers, signing with the team for the 1992 season.<ref name="seek">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175816256/ | title=Ware seeking spot on Lions' roster | work=News-Press | date=May 9, 1992 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Cristodero, Damian | pages=6C}}</ref><ref name="Ring"/> Ware played in all ten games for the Rockers in 1992, recording 41 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, six interceptions, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and 18 receptions for 305 yards.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="af"/> He was a wide receiver/defensive back during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="af">{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/1659/ | title=Riley Ware | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> He also spent time as a defensive specialist.<ref name="cha"/> The Rockers finished the 1992 season with a 7–3 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Ware's former team, the Storm, by a score of 41–36.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1992arflcin.html | title=1992 Cincinnati Rockers (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> After Curci quit the Rockers, Ware wanted to leave as well. As a result, he was traded to the Charlotte Rage for the 1993 season. However, he refused to report to the Rage due to wanting to be closer to his family, who lived in Fort Myers.<ref name="ware">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-college-heights-herald/176233508/ | title=Arena Ball: It's faster, more action-packed | work=The College Heights Herald | date=October 5, 1993 | accessdate=8 July 2025 | pages=11, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-college-heights-herald/176233728/ 15] | author=Kelly, John }}</ref> Before the start of the 1993 season, the Rage traded Ware to the Florida-based Orlando Predators for Scott Reagan.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer/175816471/ | title=Rage makes move as opening date nears | work=The Charlotte Observer | date=May 11, 1993 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=5B}}</ref> Ware played in six games for the Predators in 1993, totaling 36 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="af"/> He earned $500 per game during the 1993 season with an $100 bonus for victories.<ref name="ware"/>
In April 1994, Ware was traded to the Massachusetts Marauders for James Goode.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press/175816635/ | title=Transactions | work=Daily Press | date=April 22, 1994 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=D5}}</ref> Ware appeared in 11 games in 1994, recording 58 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 40 catches for 765 yards and one touchdown.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="af"/> The Marauders finished the season with an 8–4 record and lost in the semifinals to Ware's former team, the Predators, by a margin of 51–42.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1994arflmas.html | title=1994 Massachusetts Marauders (Arena) | work=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> Ware was named second-team All-Arena for his performance during the 1994 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=1659&pageview=bio | title=Riley Ware - Awards | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref>
Ware signed with the Rage again in 1995. He played in six games for Charlotte during the 1995 season, accumulating 16 solo tackles, two assisted tackles, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and 13 receptions for 218 yards.<ref name="stl">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/175817119/ | title=Eagles Drop Center Alexander | work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date=June 27, 1995 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=2C}}</ref><ref name="af"/> He was waived in June 1995.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news/175816896/ | title=Deals | work=The Birmingham News | date=June 14, 1995 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=2B}}</ref>
Ware signed with the St. Louis Stampede of the AFL in June 1995.<ref name="stl"/> He posted 11 solo tackles, two assisted tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup for the Stampede during the 1995 season before being waived in early August 1995.<ref name="af"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today/169935607/ | title=Transactions | work=USA Today | date=August 4, 1995 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=15C}}</ref>
Ware was claimed off waivers by the Connecticut Coyotes on August 5, 1995, after the team's season had ended.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/goldsboro-news-argus/175817281/ | title=Transactions | work=Goldsboro News-Argus | date=August 6, 1995 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=3B}}</ref> He was waived by the Coyotes on February 13, 1996.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard/175817379/ | title=Transactions | work=The Montana Standard | date=February 14, 1996 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=B2}}</ref>
On February 14, 1996, Ware was awarded to the Rage off waivers, returning to the team for the third time.<ref name="cha">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-galveston-daily-news/175817529/ | title=Transactions | work=The Galveston Daily News | date=February 15, 1996 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=2B}}</ref> He played in nine games for the Rage during his final AFL season in 1996, totaling 23 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one interception, two pass breakups, and 31 receptions for 444 yards.<ref name="pfa"/><ref name="af"/>
==Personal life and coaching career== Ware's son, Jeremy Ware, played in the NFL.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175817698/ | title=Heroes | work=News-Press | date=September 5, 2010 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=C9}}</ref> On September 11, 1991, Riley, along with another man, was placed on two-years probation after pleading guilty to stealing credit cards from Western Kentucky's Keen Hall in spring 1991.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-college-heights-herald/175815841/ | title=2 plead guilty in credit card thefts | work=The College Heights Herald | date=September 12, 1991 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Stivers, Stephanie | pages=9}}</ref>
Ware was a substitute teacher for the School District of Lee County during his AFL career.<ref name="weary">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175807270/ | title=Arena travel can't make Ware weary | work=News-Press | date=May 24, 1994 | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/175807025/ | title=Cincinnati Rockers | work=The Cincinnati Enquirer | date=May 30, 1992 | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> He was also an assistant football coach and head boys' track coach at Cape Coral High School.<ref name="weary"/> Ware was the defensive coordinator of the Florida Firecats of the af2 from 2001 to 2002.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-naples-daily-news/175807158/ | title=Florida Firecats Coaching Bios | work=The Naples Daily News | date=April 14, 2001 | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref> He was fired by the Firecats after the fourth game of the 2002 season due to friction with head coach John Fourcade.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/173593999/ | title=Firecats: Staff took some time to assemble | work=News-Press | date=August 20, 2002 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | pages=3C}}</ref> Ware was the defensive coordinator for the Florida Stingrays of the American Indoor Football Association in 2008.<ref name="sting">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175819425/ | title=Stingrays coach elects to resign | work=News-Press | date=May 8, 2008 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Reed, Ed | pages=C1}}</ref> After an 0–7 start to the season, Stingrays' head coach B. J. Jernigan was fired and replaced by Ware.<ref name="sting"/> The Stingrays ended up finishing the season with an 0–14 record.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/175819479/ | title=Stingrays still optimistic | work=News-Press | date=July 1, 2008 | accessdate=3 July 2025 | author=Bleich, Carl | pages=C2}}</ref> As of 2010, Ware was still a teacher and coach in Lee County.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/port-charlotte-sun/175819596/ | title=Community Men's Women's Prayer Breakfast | work=Port Charlotte Sun | date=October 2, 2010 | accessdate=3 July 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=wareril001&defensesort=7 Stats Crew profile]
{{ArenaBowl V}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ware, Riley}} Category:Living people Category:1960s births Category:American football defensive backs Category:American football wide receivers Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Tampa Bay Storm players Category:Cincinnati Rockers players Category:Charlotte Rage players Category:Orlando Predators players Category:Massachusetts Marauders players Category:St. Louis Stampede players Category:Connecticut Coyotes players Category:Players of American football from Fort Myers, Florida Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:High school football coaches in Florida Category:High school track and field coaches in the United States Category:Florida Firecats coaches Category:American Indoor Football coaches Category:Coaches of American football from Florida