Nicholas Necosi Harper (born September 10, 1974 in
Milledgeville) was signed by the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats as an
street free agent in 2000. He played
college football at
Fort Valley State University in
Fort Valley, Georgia.
Harper has played for the
Tennessee Titans and
Indianapolis Colts. He earned a
Super Bowl ring with the Colts in
Super Bowl XLI.
Early years
Harper attended
Baldwin High School and was a
letterman in
football,
wrestling,
baseball, and
track & field. In football, as a senior, he won first team All-Conference honors and was named the team MVP.
College career
Harper played
college football at
Fort Valley State University.
Professional career
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
After three seasons at Fort Valley State University, Harper signed with the
Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the
Canadian Football League in 2000 and appeared in 18 games for the team.
Indianapolis Colts
Harper signed with the
Indianapolis Colts on January 16, 2001.
In the divisional championship round of the
2005 playoffs, and with less than one and a half minutes of play remaining, the
Pittsburgh Steelers received the ball back on downs from the Indianapolis Colts and were left a first down and goal situation, leading 21-18. Pittsburgh's veteran
running back Jerome Bettis (who had not
fumbled during the regular season) tried to power his way in for the score, but the ball popped out when
linebacker Gary Brackett hit the ball with his helmet. Immediately, Harper, picked up the ball and headed for the Steelers'
end zone with several
blockers around him. It appeared as if Harper would take the football all of the way for a
touchdown, robbing Pittsburgh of their victory. As Harper was running down the field, Steelers
quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had been turned completely around several times desperately trying to stay in front of the speedy Harper, managed to get hold of Harper's right shin and slow him down enough for several other Steelers to catch up and bring him down at the Colts' 42-yard line.
After the play, the Colts offense drove down the field in an attempt to score a touchdown. The Colts were forced to settle for a 46-yard
field goal attempt to tie the game. However,
kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who had succeeded in all of his kicks in home games, missed the field goal as it traveled wide-right. The Steelers managed to hold on and win the game 21-18 and proceeded to the AFC Championship game.
The
Indianapolis Colts won
Super Bowl XLI giving Harper his first
Super Bowl ring.
Tennessee Titans
Before the
2007 season, Harper signed a 3-year deal with the Tennessee Titans as a
free agent. Harper played in and started 14 games and registered 80 tackles, three interceptions, 14 passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his first season with the Titans.
In 2008, Harper finished second on the team with 17 passes defended.
