The story of the former Lions quarterback who may have been their worst pick ever

The Detroit Lions had been just the worst quarterback-producing team in the NFC before Matthew Stafford came along, as this team has cycled through bust first-round picks and underperforming veterans with regularity.

One subpar passer stands out above (or below) the rest. This miss was such a big mistake in Detroit's part that their decision had ripple effects in the NFL Draft community that didn't completely subside for years afterward.

Andre Ware, whom the Lions once thought could change the scope of this franchise and be their next great quarterback across the 1990s, might be the biggest miss this team has ever had under center.

Andre Ware is the worst quarterback in Detroit Lions history

Ware's final college season at Houston put him at the helm of one of the greatest offenses in college football history. Jack Pardee's Run-N-Shoot offense helped the Cougars average 53.5 points per game (including one game with 95 points), all while Ware set 27 NCAA records in 1989.

Even after playing in just 11 games and sitting in the fourth quarter in over half of those games, Ware threw for 4,700 yards and 45 touchdowns. Ware averaged over 420 yards per game and 127 passing yards per quarter he played in. This offense also produced a starting running back with 9.6 yards per carry and a receiver with 22 touchdown receptions while averaging 625 yards per game.

Despite the fact that the team was on probation for recruiting violations, Ware rode his prolific season to a Heisman Trophy win. Despite his accolades in college, the professional ranks were skeptical of him, claiming that his production in a pass-happy offense wouldn't translate to a slower, more conservative NFL.

Ware was going to be picked high in the 1990 NFL Draft, which produced Hall of Famers like Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau in the top-five picks. Armed with the No. 7 pick, the Lions took Ware in a move that sparked some controversy.

Head coach Wayne Fontes reportedly overrode the Lions' scouting director and front office to select Ware. The scouting director resigned immediately after the Draft in a sign of protest. Ware was picked over Emmitt Smith (who wouldn't have played behind Barry Sanders, but still), star tackle Richmond Webb, and second-rounder LeRoy Butler.

Andre Ware rarely played for the Detroit Lions.

As was common back then, Ware started the season as the third-string quarterback behind Rodney Peete and Bob Gagliano. Ware started just one game, completing just 13 of his 30 passes. However, Fontes didn't seem ready to cut him loose in his second season.

Rather than at least hand Ware the No. 2 job behind Peete, the Lions brought in veteran Erik Kramer. Whenever Peete would get injured or play poorly, Kramer would relieve him. This pattern continued throughout the next three seasons, when Barry Sanders would drag these inept offenses to the playoffs.

Ware started just six games with the Lions in four years, going 3-3 in his starts and throwing five touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Ware was let go by the Lions after the 1993 season. He was cut by Detroit after

Even after his struggles with the Lions, there is a fair share of defenders who claim that Ware was never given a fair shot. After all, Ware was only given six starts in the pros. What young quarterback doesn't have a bad six-start stretch?

Ware found success as a broadcaster after leaving football, as he has been a college football announcer and analyst with ESPN for over 20 years.

Not only did Ware bust in an epic fashion, but his successor at Houston, David Klingler, was an equally bad (some would argue worse) bust who was drafted sixth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992. The impact of their misses changed scouting for years to come.

Every quarterback that played in a Run-N-Shoot or Air Raid offense was subject to an extra degree of scrutiny, as their production and ability to learn an NFL offense were downplayed. Playing in a "pro style" offense became even more of a selling point, all while names like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson received extra criticism.

For the Lions, Ware is just many highly-touted quarterbacks that never made it over the line in Detroit.