Nick Harper (American football)

Nicholas Necosi Harper (born September 10, 1974 in Milledgeville) is a currently a free agent American football cornerback in the National Football League. He 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.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
After being declared ineligible for his senior season at Fort Valley State in 2000, Harper signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League 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 win following the 2006 season, 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 defensed.

Personal
Harper is married to Danielle, couple splits time between Nashville and Indianapolis, Indiana with their three sons, Nicholas, Darius and Eric.They have 1 daughter, Lauren.

After his professional football career, Harper will dedicate his time coaching his sons, Harper says that his two oldest sons Nicholas and Darius already have a deep passion for football and they even watch game film with him at home. Harper and former Titans running backs coach Earnest Byner share the same hometown, following the Washington Redskins Super Bowl XXVI win, Harper went to the victory parade and heard Byner speak in Milledgeville.