Roman Harper
Roman Harper (born December 11, 1982 in Prattville) plays safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.
Harper went to high school at Prattville where he was a standout quarterback, safety, & returner. He led the Lions to a 9-2 record his senior season. One of those losses came from rival Sidney Lanier High School in the Region Championship game. Sidney Lanier's quarterback that season was Minnesota Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson. Harper was a 1st Team All State performer & was also selected to the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Game.
Harper attended the University of Alabama. He was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter and finished his college football career with 302 tackles, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 3.5 sacks. As a senior, he was a first team All-Southeastern Conference selection. As a junior, he was a second team All-Southeastern Conference selection. As a sophomore, he led the team with 114 tackles and also had an interception and a fumble recovery.
Harper was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He started five games as a rookie strong safety in 2006 but suffered a knee injury in week five and was held out for the remainder of the year. He started 16 games in 2007 and 15 games in 2008. In 2009, Harper earned his first Pro Bowl berth and helped lead the New Orleans Saints to victory in the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami, Florida.
Harper was recognized with the "Ed Block Courage Award" in 2007 and earned a Pro Bowl spot in 2009.
After eight years, Harper was released by the Saints on February 12, 2014. He signed with the Carolina Panthers on March 15 and recorded two tackles, 1 pass deflection and an interception in his debut against Tampa Bay. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week against the Atlanta Falcons in week 17 after making 6 tackles, defending a pass, and running an interception back 31 yards for a touchdown.
Harper and his mother, Princess, founded the "Harper's Hope Foundation" in 2009 with a goal of strengthening families and communities by mentoring youth. The foundation has held celebrity golf tournaments and charity auctions to raise funds. Among other programs, the foundation has distributed gifts to children in Charlotte and Prattville.
References
- Kausler, Don Jr (February 6, 2011) "Ex-Tide teammates Anthony Madison, Charlie Peprah battle today for a Super Bowl ring." The Birmingham News
- "Roman Harper (November 17, 2015) Wikipedia - accessed December 11, 2015
External links
- Roman Harper at panthers.com
- Roman Harper on Twitter.com