View source for Alvin Harper

{{Short description|American football player (born 1967)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Alvin Harper
| number      = 80, 82, 1
| position    = [[Wide receiver]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1967|7|6}}
| birth_place = [[Lake Wales, Florida]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 3
| weight_lb   = 210
| high_school = [[Frostproof Middle-Senior High School|Frostproof]] ([[Frostproof, Florida]])
| college     = [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]]
| draftyear   = 1991
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 12
| pastteams   =
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1991|1994}})
* [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] ({{NFL Year|1995|1996}})
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1997}})
* [[New Orleans Saints]] (1997)
* Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1999}})
* [[Memphis Maniax]] (2001)
| highlights  =
* 2× [[Super Bowl]] champion ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]])
* Second-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1990 All-SEC football team|1990]])
| statlabel1  = [[Reception (American football)|Reception]]s
| statvalue1  = 191
| statlabel2  = Receiving yards
| statvalue2  = 3,473
| statlabel3  = [[Touchdown]]s
| statvalue3  = 21
| pfr         = HarpAl00 
}}

'''Alvin Craig Harper''' (born July 6, 1967) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[wide receiver]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[Dallas Cowboys]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], [[Washington Redskins]] and [[New Orleans Saints]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee Volunteers]]. Harper was selected by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in the first round of the [[1991 NFL draft]]. He played in Dallas for four years as the Cowboys won [[Super Bowl XXVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]], both against the [[Buffalo Bills]].

==Early life==
Harper attended [[Frostproof Middle-Senior High School|Frostproof High School]], where he was an outstanding [[American football|football]] player, earning ''[[USA Today]]'' high school [[All-American]] honors as a senior in 1986.

He also excelled in [[track and field]]; at one time he held the Florida High School [[high jump]] record, and also won two state Class A [[high jump]]ing titles.  As a [[basketball]] player he averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.

==College career==
Harper accepted a football scholarship from the [[University of Tennessee]]. As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games as a backup [[wide receiver]], making 15 receptions for 247 yards and one touchdown. He had a 45-yard touchdown reception in the second game against [[Colorado State University]].

As a sophomore, he was named a starter at [[wide receiver]]. He appeared in 11 games, posting 37 receptions for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns. In his first start in the fifth game against [[Washington State University]], he set a school single-game record with 12 receptions.

As a junior, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 13 receptions for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns.

As a senior, he earned All-[[Southeastern Conference]] Freshman First-team honors in 1987, and All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors in 1990. He was also the MVP of the 1991 [[Hula Bowl]], and finished his [[NCAA football]] career with 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 [[touchdown]]s.

He continued to excel in track and field, capturing the 1989 Southeastern Conference indoor high jump championship with a jump of 7&nbsp;ft 2½in. He also anchored the University of Tennessee [[4 × 100 metres relay|4x100]] and [[4 × 400 metres relay|4x400]] meter relays.

==Professional career==

===Dallas Cowboys===
In the [[1991 NFL draft]], the [[Dallas Cowboys]] sought a receiving partner for starter [[Michael Irvin]] and selected Harper in the first round (12th overall).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1991 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/draft.htm |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4726535/cowboys-91-draft-earns-high-marks |title=Cowboys' 1991 draft earns high marks |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> As a rookie, he caught 20 passes for 326 yards and one [[touchdown]], helping Dallas finish 11–5, its first winning season since [[1985 NFL season|1985]]. He missed the seventh game against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] with a neck injury.

In [[1992 NFL season|1992]], he rushed once for 15 yards and caught 35 passes for 562 yards and four [[touchdown]]s. He also recorded an interception at [[Denver Broncos]] when he, as an extra defender, picked off a Hail Mary by [[Tommy Maddox]] at the end of the first half. He probably had the signature play of his career during the [[1992–93 NFL playoffs#NFC Championship: Dallas Cowboys 30, San Francisco 49ers 20|NFC Championship]] against the [[San Francisco 49ers]], catching a [[Slant (route)|slant route]] for 70 yards, setting up the Cowboys on the 10-yard line and sealing the win. He also caught a 45-yard [[touchdown]] from [[quarterback]] [[Troy Aikman]] during the 52–17 victory over the [[Buffalo Bills]] in [[Super Bowl XXVII]], after which he dunked the ball over the goal post crossbar.

===Tampa Bay Buccaneers===
On March 8, [[1995 NFL season|1995]], Harper signed a lucrative [[free agent]] contract with the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] based on his big play ability and championship experience.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/09/sports/pro-football-bucs-beat-out-the-jets-in-bidding-for-harper.html |title=Bucs Beat Out the Jets In Bidding for Harper |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 9, 1995 |access-date=April 30, 2020|last1=Smith |first1=Timothy W. }}</ref> Though he had a career-high 46 receptions for 633 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first season in Tampa, he was not able to live up to his free agent billing. He missed the first 3 games of the season because of a left sprained medial collateral ligament and a sprained left ankle he suffered in the first preseason game against the [[New York Jets]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/08/06/harper-injured/ |title=Harper injured |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> He clinched a 14–6 win in the fourth game against the [[Washington Redskins]] with a touchdown reception in the final 6 minutes. His best game came against the [[Cincinnati Bengals]] with 6 receptions for 117 yards and no touchdowns.

In [[1996 NFL season|1996]], he appeared in 12 games with 7 starts, registering 19 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown. His top receiving game came in the third game against the [[Denver Broncos]], making 2 receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. He had 4 receptions for 41 yards and no touchdowns in the fifth game against the [[Detroit Lions]]. Harper was replaced with [[Robb Thomas]] in the second half of the sixth game against the [[Minnesota Vikings]] and would lose his job as the starter at [[wide receiver]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/10/29/harper-in-a-snit-as-he-sits/ |title=Harper in a snit as he sits |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> He would start once more in the season finale against the [[Chicago Bears]], in place of an injured Thomas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/12/23/harper-makes-his-return-quietly/ |title=Harper makes his return quietly |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

On June 10, [[1997 NFL season|1997]], he was released before the start of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/11/sports/buccaneers-cut-ties-with-harper.html |title=Buccaneers Cut Ties With Harper |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 11, 1997 |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> During his two years in Tampa he was slowed by injuries and played in only 25 games, where he caught 65 passes for 922 yards and three touchdowns.

===Washington Redskins===
On June 11, [[1997 NFL season|1997]], the [[Washington Redskins]] signed him, gambling that he could flourish again after being reunited with head coach [[Norv Turner]], who had been his offensive coordinator in Dallas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/12/harper-signs-with-redskins/347e7e25-cf99-4790-a6f6-5f5b21b9327d/ |title=Harper Signs With Redskins |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> Harper was a reserve player in 12 games, in which he caught only 2 receptions for 65 yards in the fourth game against the [[Jacksonville Jaguars]]. On December 1, he was released after he complained about his playing time, following the Redskins 23–20 loss to the [[St. Louis Rams]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/02/outspoken-harper-released-by-redskins/2f1c0165-a539-44a1-bdb1-9f0d18c8c4ad/ |title=Ouspoken Harper Released By Redskins |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

===New Orleans Saints===
On December 2, [[1997 NFL season|1997]], he was claimed off waiver by the [[New Orleans Saints]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/12/03/former-ram-martin-fills-in-as-no-3-for-the-final-three/5a0bac4a-efd9-41d5-a565-10f399aaa584/ |title=Former RAM Mrtin Fills In As No. 3 For The Final Three |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> He was declared inactive in the last 3 games of the season. He was released on July 24, [[1998 NFL season|1998]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1998-07-25-1998206052-story.html |title=Transactions |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

===Dallas Cowboys===
On October 14, [[1999 NFL season|1999]], he was signed by the [[Dallas Cowboys]], to provide depth after [[Michael Irvin]] suffered a career-ending neck injury in the fourth game against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/1999/1014/113534.html |title=Injury-riddled Cowboys sign Harper |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> His jersey number 80 was used by [[Ernie Mills]], so he chose to wear number 82. He appeared in 2 games as a reserve player and did not register any statistics. He was released on December 7.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1999-12-08-9912080017-story.html |title=Transactions |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

Harper finished his eight NFL seasons with 191 receptions for 3,473 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also rushed once for 15 yards, completed a pass for 46 yards, and recorded one [[interception]] on defense.

===Memphis Maniax (XFL)===
In [[XFL (2001)|2001]], he was signed by the [[Memphis Maniax]] of the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]], reuniting with head coach [[Kippy Brown]], who was his wide receivers coach with the [[University of Tennessee]]. Harper was a backup wide receiver and only posted one reception for 8 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.all-xfl.com/memphismaniax/team/roster/alvinharper.htm |title=Memphis Maniax bio |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

===NFL statistics===
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Team
! colspan="2" |Games
! colspan="5" |Receiving
! colspan="2" |Fumbles
|-
! GP 
!GS!! Rec !!  Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TDs !! Fum !! Lost
|-
| [[1991 NFL season|'''1991''']]|| [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|'''DAL''']]|| 15 
|5|| 20 || 326 || 16.3 || 39 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| [[1992 NFL season|'''1992''']]|| [[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|'''DAL''']]|| '''16'''
|13|| 35 || 562 || 16.1 || 52 || 4 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[1993 NFL season|'''1993''']]|| [[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|'''DAL''']]|| '''16'''
|'''15'''|| 36 || 777 || 21.6 || 80 || 5 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[1994 NFL season|'''1994''']]|| [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|'''DAL''']]|| '''16'''
|14|| 33 || '''821''' || '''24.9''' || '''90''' || '''8''' || '''2''' || '''2'''
|-
| [[1995 NFL season|'''1995''']]|| [[1995 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|'''TB''']]|| 13 
|12|| '''46''' || 633 || 13.8 || 49 || 2 || 0 || 0
|-
| [[1996 NFL season|'''1996''']]|| [[1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|'''TB''']]|| 12 
|7|| 19 || 289 || 15.2 || 40 || 1 || 1 || 1
|-
| [[1997 NFL season|'''1997''']]|| [[1997 Washington Redskins season|'''WSH''']]|| 12 
|0|| 2 || 65 || 32.5 || 52 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|[[1999 NFL season|'''1999''']]
|[[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|'''DAL''']]
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|-
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarpAl00.htm Career] || '''100''' 
|'''66'''|| '''191''' || '''3,473''' || '''18.2''' || '''90''' || '''21''' || '''5''' || '''5'''
|}

==Personal life==
In 2004, he was a volunteer wide receivers coach at [[Howard University]]. In 2005, he served an [[NFL]] coaching internship as the [[Rhein Fire (NFL Europe)|Rhein Fire]] wide receivers assistant coach in [[NFL Europe]].

Harper now resides in [[Winter Haven, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/columns/2021/02/06/frostproof-alvin-harper-talks-life-before-and-after-nfl/4396819001/ | title='A bigger heart': Frostproof's Alvin Harper talks about life before and after the NFL }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{1991 NFL Draft}}
{{Cowboys1991DraftPicks}}
{{CowboysFirstPick}}
{{Super Bowl XXVII}}
{{Super Bowl XXVIII}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Alvin}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
[[Category:Memphis Maniax players]]
[[Category:New Orleans Saints players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Lake Wales, Florida]]
[[Category:Rhein Fire coaches]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Polk County, Florida]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players]]
[[Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]