His first visit to a football stadium was at Anfield, when he witnessed Liverpool defeat Manchester United 2-0 in the 1982-83 season. Harper was a student at Easington Comprehensive School. He got accepted to Liverpool John Moores University. Newcastle United recruited him from his hometown club, Seaham Red Star, for a small amount in 1993. He spent two seasons there before moving back to Liverpool to play for them. In 1996, he moved on again, this time to Vancouver Whitecaps of the US Major League Soccer (MLS) league.
Harper returned to England in 1998 when he signed with Leeds United. But after one season there, he returned to Scotland when he joined Hibernian. After one season there, he returned to England for a third time when he signed with Sunderland in 2001. However, he was only with the Black Cats for one season before being traded to Canadian team Ottawa Senators. At the end of the 2002-03 season, he decided to retire from playing soccer and look for another job.
During his time at Seaham Red Star and Liverpool, he learned to love the sport and wanted to become a professional player. However, due to financial difficulties, he had to quit school and work full time as a deck hand to support himself and his family. This is why he has never played any other sports besides soccer.
He made his debut for Liverpool against Norwich City on August 31, 1991.
Harper played for Edinburgh junior team Hutchison Vale before being recruited by Hibernian and making his professional debut at the age of 17. Harper was a member of a small minority in Scottish football as a black footballer. He joined English club Sunderland as a youngster but only made one appearance for their first team.
He later had spells with St Johnstone, Dundee and Brechin City before returning to Scotland with Airdrieonians and then Raith Rovers. In 2001, he moved back to England to sign for Bradford City but was released after just one season. After a brief spell with Cowdenbeath, Harper returned to Scotland with Hamilton Academical before ending his career with East Fife.
Harper won two caps for the Scotland national football team in 1999. He made his international debut in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on 8 February 1999 and scored his only goal for Scotland in a 2-1 defeat to England on 15 March 1999. He played in both matches as Scotland finished third at the 1999 UEFA European Football Championship.
After retiring from playing Harper became an assistant coach at Hamilton Academical and also worked with the under-18s and under-20s teams at Sunderland. He was appointed manager of National League side Hartlepool United in October 2015 but was sacked four months later after failing to lead them out of relegation trouble.
Alabama State University Roman Harper/College: Harper attended the University of Alabama and played football for the Crimson Tide. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter in college, finishing with 302 tackles, 5 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 3.5 sacks. After graduating from Alabama in 1997, he went on to play eight seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and New York Jets.
Harper was drafted by the 49ers in the first round (18th pick overall). He started all 16 games as a rookie and recorded 93 tackles (third on the team), 3 interceptions (tied for second on the team), 7 passes defended (second on the team), and a sack. In 1999, he had 103 tackles (fourth on the team) and 2 interceptions (tied for third on the team). In 2000, he started 13 games and recorded 78 tackles (eighth on the team). That year, he also had 3 passes defended and a fumble recovery.
After leaving the 49ers, he signed with the Ravens in 2001. With him there, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1996. In 2002, he started 15 games and recorded 73 tackles (seventh on the team). That year, he also had 3 passes defended and an interception.
In 2003, he started 12 games and recorded 57 tackles (ninth on the team).
In Saanich, British Columbia, he attended "Mount Douglas Secondary School," but then transferred to "St. Michaels University School," where he played basketball, soccer, and rugby. In his senior year of high school, he led his team to the British Columbia AAA provincial title.
Nash was drafted #1 by the Vancouver Grizzlies in the 2003 NBA draft. He immediately became one of the best point guards in the league, helping them win the Western Conference championship before losing to Detroit in the playoffs. In 2007, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, with whom he has won two championships so far. He is also a two-time MVP award winner.
After his first season with the Suns, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers used him at the start of the 2008-2009 season until he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He returned in time for the end of the season, when they lost in the 2009 NBA Finals to Boston.
Since then, he has been nominated for several awards including the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award each year. However, he has never won it.
In 2011, he signed with the Canadian National Team. He wanted to prove that he is still able to play at a high level even after turning 30 years old.
Ball attended Saint Martin de Porres High School in Detroit, Michigan, where he was a member of the football team that won the state title in 2001. He ended with 15 interceptions, including six in his senior year and six more in the postseason. After graduating from high school early, Ball went on to play college football at Penn State University.
After playing one season for the Nittany Lions, Ball entered the 2002 NFL Draft. He was selected second overall by the Miami Dolphins.
During his time with the Dolphins, Ball helped them reach the 2003 AFC Championship Game before losing to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. In 2004, he started all 16 games for the first time in his career and led the league in interceptions with 17. The Dolphins made it to the 2005 AFC Championship Game but lost to the Steelers 24-7.
In 2006, Ball started 13 games for the first time since 2004 and had 105 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He also returned five kicks for 39 yards and one touchdown. The Dolphins finished the season with a 9-7 record and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
After one season with the Dolphins, Ball joined the New York Jets as their new defensive coordinator under Herm Edwards. In 2008, he helped guide their defense to the third best total in NFL history.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
