Former Troy University football standout and Super Bowl champion Demarcus Ware will be honored by the state of Alabama, The City of Troy and Troy University on April 19, on what will officially be named Demarcus Ware Day.

Ware will open his day with a trip to Montgomery and will become the first Super Bowl winning player to be honored with a special proclamation at the capitol building.

Ware will finish off the day with a ceremony at Troy University’s Trojan Arena at 5 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the event is free and open to the public.

“We are extremely excited that he is going to have a chance to be with us,” said Troy’s Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. “It’s an opportunity for the state of Alabama, the Troy community and our campus to express how proud we are of him, and it’s our chance to pat him on the back.”

The Dallas Cowboys selected ware with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. During his time in the NFL Ware has been selected to nine Pro Bowls and named to the All-Pro team seven times.

Ware is a member of the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade team. As a Trojan, Ware was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year when he lead the Trojans to their first every bowl game and racked up 53 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

Ware was part of the inaugural class of the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame.

The Troy community watched with excitement as after nine years in the NFL, Ware was able to take part in a championship run this past season.

“That was a lot of fun,” McClain said. “I think everyone took a lot of pride in the fact that he is a Trojan. I think that is to a greater extent because of the type of person he is. I think people see that. He is the type of person you want representing you.”

During his run at a championship, Ware sacked Tom Brady of the New England Patriots twice and knocked him down on seven occasions. During the Super Bowl, Ware sacked Cam Newton twice and compiled five tackles.

The festivities will include Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. presenting Ware with the Troy Distinguished Leadership Award and Mayor Jason Reeves presenting Ware with a key to the city.

Also during the festivities the audience will be presented with a highlight video featuring Ware’s journey to the Super Bowl as well as scenes from his days as a Trojan.

Later in the evening Barry McKnight “The Voice of the Trojans” will hold a Q&A session with Ware. The cheerleaders and Sound of the South will also take part in the evening’s festivities.