Countdown to Cowboys: Remembering Alvin Harper's Iconic Plays!

Lake Wales, Florida, USA - As the excitement builds towards the 2025 NFL season opener, fans are eagerly awaiting the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. In this countdown, a spotlight falls on a remarkable member of the Cowboys’ rich history—Alvin Harper, number 77. In the early 1990s, he played a pivotal role in one of the most prosperous eras for the franchise, contributing significantly to the team’s back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

Harper was born on July 6, 1967, in Lake Wales, Florida, and his early athleticism was evident long before his NFL days. He attended Frostproof High School, where he not only shone on the football field but also made his mark in track and field, holding the Florida High School high jump record and winning two state titles. His talent was complemented by his skills on the basketball court, averaging 23 points and 10 rebounds per game. No wonder there’s something to be said for his athletic versatility that would later pay dividends in professional football.

Career Highlights

Diving into Harper’s football journey, he stepped onto the college scene at the University of Tennessee. There, he carved out an impressive legacy, finishing with 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns during his college career. He made a splash during his freshman year and truly came into his own as a sophomore, setting a school record with 12 receptions in his first start against Washington State. His performance caught the attention of the NFL, where he was selected in the first round as the 12th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1991.

During his four seasons with the Cowboys, Harper not only showcased his talents but also helped steer the team to two Super Bowl championships, XXVII and XXVIII, against the Buffalo Bills. His notable 70-yard catch-and-run against the 49ers in the 1992 NFC Championship had Cowboys fans buzzing, as it was a defining moment that led the team to their first Super Bowl of the decade. Harper’s knack for making big plays complemented the efforts of fellow star Michael Irvin and cemented his place in Cowboys lore.

Life After Dallas

After his time in Dallas, Harper moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he experienced mixed results, partly due to injuries that limited his playing time. He transitioned from the Buccaneers to the Washington Redskins and then to the New Orleans Saints. While his stats didn’t reflect the heights achieved in Dallas, he did manage to accumulate impressive totals over his career with 191 receptions for 3,473 yards and 21 touchdowns. Even after stepping back from the NFL, Harper stayed involved in the sport as a wide receivers coach at Howard University and an assistant for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe.

From Lake Wales to the NFL, Alvin Harper’s journey exemplifies resilience and talent. Today, he resides in Winter Haven, Florida, where he reflects on a career that inspired countless young athletes. As the Cowboys gear up to take on the Eagles, it’s worth remembering the contributions of players like Harper, who helped lay the foundations for the franchise’s enduring legacy.

For more information about Alvin Harper’s career and achievements, you can read more on Blogging the Boys and Wikipedia.