Bruce Harper

Bruce S. Harper (born June 20, 1955) is an American former professional football running back and return specialist who played 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, 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.