Cassius Ware in his Ole Miss Football daysBATESVILLE — A fundraising campaign has been launched to help former Ole Miss and Northwest Mississippi Community College football standout Cassius “B” Ware as he recovers from a life-changing medical emergency that resulted in the amputation of his lower leg.
According to the GoFundMe campaign, Ware recently underwent surgery in Fargo, North Dakota, after developing an infection in his lower leg. He is now in Las Vegas, where he is being fitted for a prosthetic leg and undergoing rehabilitation before returning home to Mississippi.
Although he has health insurance, organizers say mounting medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, prosthetic costs and travel have created a significant financial burden.
The fundraiser asks supporters to help Ware continue the recovery that friends say he is approaching with the same determination he displayed throughout his football career.
Born in Batesville, Ware became one of Mississippi’s most dominant defensive players before making his mark in college football. He helped South Panola High School win a state championship before starring at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he was a two-time All-State linebacker.
Ware still shares the school record for most tackles in a game with 24 and remains among the program’s career leaders in tackles, interceptions and forced fumbles. He was inducted into the Northwest Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Cassius Ware and Dewayne Dotson, Ole Miss Football vs Georgia, 1993After Northwest, Ware transferred to Ole Miss and became a cornerstone of Billy Brewer’s defenses in 1992 and 1993. Alongside linebacker Dewayne Dotson, Ware helped anchor one of the nation’s stingiest defenses, a unit that routinely overwhelmed opposing offenses and finished the 1993 season ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense.
One of Ware’s signature moments came in his first SEC game, when he returned a fumble 91 yards for a touchdown against Auburn, a play that remains the longest fumble return in Ole Miss history.
He was also named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 Liberty Bowl after recording 10 tackles and two sacks in the Rebels’ 13-0 victory over Air Force. In 2019, he was selected to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-1990s Decade Team.
Following college, Ware signed with the Indianapolis Colts and also played professionally with the Canadian Football League’s British Columbia Lions and the Memphis Pharaohs before retiring from football.
Away from the field, Ware built a career helping others as a personal trainer, coach and mentor, working with athletes of all ages to improve their fitness and athletic skills. His social media pages regularly post inspirational and educational workout videos, and his positive attitude is hard to miss in his postings.
Organizers say donations will help cover Ware’s medical expenses, rehabilitation, prosthetic care and travel costs as he works toward returning to the active lifestyle that has defined much of his life.
“Now, he needs our help,” the fundraiser states. “Together, we can help Cassius take on this new challenge and show him the same support he’s given to so many others.”
