Nick Harper (football player)
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- For the English singer-songwriter and guitarist, see Nick Harper
| Nick Harper | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | September 10, 1974 (age 32) |
| Place of birth |  Baldwin, GA |
| Position(s) | Cornerback |
| College | Fort Valley State |
| NFL Draft | 2001 / Round Undrafted |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 2001-2006 2007-present |
Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans |
Nick Necosi Harper is an American football player for the Tennessee Titans, out of Fort Valley State University. Harper was acquired via free agency by the Titans after a solid stint with the Indianapolis Colts, including a Super Bowl win following the 2006 season, giving Harper his first ring.
[edit] High school 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.
[edit] The play
On first and goal, Pittsburgh veteran running back Jerome Bettis (who hadn't fumbled during the 2005 NFL 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 a 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 tried to drive down the field in an attempt to score a touchdown. The Colts were forced to settle for a 46-yard field goal to tie the game. However, kicker Mike Vanderjagt, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, who had been perfect at home, missed the field goal, as it traveled wide-right by twenty yards. The Steelers managed to hold on and win 21-18 and become the first team to win a Super Bowl as a 6th-seed in the AFC in NFL history.
