Background
Harper was born and went to high school in Prattville, Alabama, where he was a quarterback, safety, and returner for Prattville High School.
Harper was born and went to high school in Prattville, Alabama, where he was a quarterback, safety, and returner for Prattville High School.
Harper attended the University of Alabama, and played for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team He was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter and finished his college football career with 302 tackles, 5 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 3.5 sacks.
He played college football at the University of Alabama, and was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. In 2009, Harper earned his first Pro Bowl berth and helped lead the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV, and again in 2016 with the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. He led the Lions to a 9-2 record his senior season.
Harper was a first Team All State performer and was also selected to the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game.
As a sophomore, he totaled 114 tackles (second most on the team) and also had an interception and a fumble recovery. As a junior, he was a second team All-Southeastern Conference selection.
As a senior, he was a first team All-Southeastern Conference selection. New Orleans Saints
Drafted in the second round by the Saints, Harper started five games in 2006 but was put on injured reserve on October 10.
Harper started 16 games in 2007 and 15 games in 2008.
In Super Bowl XLIV, Harper led the Saints with 8 tackles and defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. Harper was released by the Saints on February 12, 2014 after 8 years with the team Carolina Panthers
On March 15, 2014, Harper was signed by the Carolina Panthers.
During his debut performance for the Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Harper recorded 2 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception.
In Harper"s second season with the team, The Panthers finished the season with a team record 15 wins. They went on to beat the Seahawks and Cardinals to reach Super Bowl 50.
In the Super Bowl, Harper had 2 tackles, but the Panthers lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos. Awards and championships
2009 - Named to first NFL Pro Bowl
2007 - Editor Block Courage Award
NFL stats
Key
General Practice: games played
COMB: combined tackles
TOTAL: total tackles
Air Service Training: assisted tackles
SACK: sacks
FF: forced fumbles
First Revision: fumble recoveries
First Revision YDS: fumble return yards
INT: interceptions
International Rectifier YDS: interception return yards
AVG International Rectifier : average interception return
Liquefied Natural Gas: longest interception return
Territorial Decoration: interceptions returned for touchdown
Privatdozent : passes defensed
Harper and his mother, Princess Harper, founded the Harper"s Hope Foundation in 2009.
The primary goal of the foundation has been, “to strengthen families and enhance their emotional, social, and spiritual health through educational programs, enrichment activities, and economic development.”
In July 2010 the foundation hosted its first annual "A Sainted Weekend" Celebrity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction.
He currently attends Alief Elsik High School.
Harper recorded 6 tackles, 1 pass defended, and a 31-yard pick six.
Harper became a member of School of the Legends (SOTL) in 2010.