Bruce Harper
Bruce Harper (born June 20, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kutztown Golden Bears and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets in 1977. Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5,407 yards in kickoff returns. He also served as the Jets punt returner from 1977 to 1982, totalling 1,784 PR yards and 1 touchdown. His total yards are 11,429: 1,829 rushing yards, 2,409 receiving yards, 1,784 PR yards and 5,407 KR yards.
| No. 42 | |
| Date of birth | June 20, 1955 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back, Kick returner, Punt returner |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 174 lb (79 kg) |
| US college | Kutztown |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1977–1984 | New York Jets |
| Career stats | |
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Harper played high school football at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. He moved on to play at Kutztown State College, where he became the school's first 1,000 yard rusher.
Harper's 42 jersey is the jersey worn by diehard Jets fan Fireman Ed.
Harper was a longtime resident of Norwood, New Jersey, but now lives in Closter, New Jersey.
Harper is founder and director of the non-for-profit organization Heroes & Cool Kids, established in 1998. Based in school systems throughout New Jersey, the mentoring program reaches out to elementary and middle-school kids by high school athletes and students of the same district. The high school students are trained through the Heroes and Cool Kids' curriculum and by former professional athletes, such as former NFL player, Keith Elias, former Los Angeles Lakers player, John Celestand, and former New Jersey Nets player, Tim Bassett.