Bruce Harper

Bruce S. Harper (born June 20, 1955) is an American former professional football player who was a running back and return specialist 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 after the 1977 NFL draft.

Early life Harper played high school football at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey.

College career Harper attended the Kutztown State College—now Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he became the school's first 1,000 yards rusher.

Professional career Harper is the all-time kick returner leader 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 punt return yards and one touchdown.

His total yards are 11,429: 1,829 rushing, 2,409 receiving, 1,784 punt return and 5,407 kickoff return yards.

Harper's no. 42 jersey is the jersey worn by diehard Jets fan Fireman Ed.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1977 NYJ 14 1 44 198 4.5 18 0 21 209 10.0 55 1 1978 NYJ 16 0 58 303 5.2 32 2 13 196 15.1 44 2 1979 NYJ 16 0 65 282 4.3 31 0 17 250 14.7 72 2 1980 NYJ 15 1 45 126 2.8 22 0 50 634 12.7 52 3 1981 NYJ 16 7 81 393 4.9 29 4 52 459 8.8 24 1 1982 NYJ 9 0 20 125 6.3 40 0 14 177 12.6 39 1 1983 NYJ 9 2 51 354 6.9 78 1 48 413 8.6 33 2 1984 NYJ 4 0 10 48 4.8 16 1 5 71 14.2 28 0 99 11 374 1,829 4.9 78 8 220 2,409 11.0 72 12

Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1981 NYJ 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 4 4.0 4 0 1982 NYJ 2 0 2 9 4.5 9 0 6 49 8.2 19 0 3 0 2 9 4.5 9 0 7 53 7.6 19 0

Personal life Harper was a longtime resident of Norwood, 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.