Alvin Harper Biography [2023 Update] : Stat, NFL & Cowboys

Alvin Harper is an American former football athlete of the NFL who plays in the position of a wide receiver. 

As a professional athlete, Harper’s career started after the Dallas Cowboys selected him during the 1991 NFL Draft.

Before playing in the NFL, Harper represented the college football team of the University of Tennessee. 

Moreover, Alvin has played for several famous NFL teams like- Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys. 

Likewise, Harper represented Dallas Cowboys for four years, and during his time with the Cowboys, the team won Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII. 

Furthermore, let’s get to know more about the former NFL athlete Alvin Harper. But first, let’s look into some of Harper’s quick facts. 

Alvin Harper | Quick Facts

Alvin Harper | Early Life, Family & Education 

Alvin Craig Harper was born on July 6th, 1967, in Lake Wales, Florida. 

Besides, Harper has not revealed anything about his early life and family. Thus, none of the sources have any information regarding Alvin’s parents.

Age, Height & Body Measurements  

Harper possesses an athletic body frame and stands at the height of 6’3” (1.91 m) with 95kgs (210 lbs). 

Moreover, Harper turned 56  years old in 2023, and he has black colored hair and brown colored eyes. 

According to Alvin’s birthdate, he falls under the sun sign of Cancer. 

Education  

Alvin attended Frostproof High School in Frostproof, Florida, where he was an outstanding football player, earning USA Today high school All-American honors as a senior in 1986.

Moreover, Alvin also excelled in track and field, where he at one time held the Florida High School high jump record and won two state Class A high jumping titles, as well as basketball, where he averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Furthermore, for college Alvin attend the University of Tennessee. 

Alvin Harper | Career and Profession 

Before jumping into Harper’s professional career, let’s look into his successful college career. 

College Career

Alvin accepted a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee.

As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games as a backup wide receiver, making 15 receptions for 247 yards and one touchdown.

He had a 45-yard touchdown reception in the second game against Colorado State University.

Moreover, as a sophomore, he became the team’s starting wide receiver and appeared in 11 games, posting 37 receptions for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns.

In his first start in the fifth game against Washington State University, he set a school single-game record with 12 receptions.

Furthermore, as a junior, he appeared in 11 games, tallying 13 receptions for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Likewise, as a senior, Alvin earned All-Southeastern Conference Freshman First Team honors in 1987 and All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors in 1990.

He was also the MVP of the 1991 Hula Bowl and finished his NCAA football career with 103 receptions for 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Similarly, Alvin continued to excel in track and field, capturing the 1989 Southeastern Conference indoor high jump championship with a jump of 7 ft 2½in.

He also anchored the University of Tennessee 4×100 and 4×400 meters relays.

Professional Career

Dallas Cowboys

Furthermore, Harper was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round (12th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft to find a receiving partner for starter Michael Irvin.

He caught 20 passes for 326 yards and one touchdown as a rookie, helping Dallas finish 11–5, its first winning season since 1985.

He missed the seventh game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a neck injury.

Moreover, in 1992, Alvin rushed once for 15 yards and caught 35 passes for 562 yards and four touchdowns.

He probably had the signature play of his career during the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers, catching a slant route for 70 yards, setting up the Cowboys on the 10-yard line, and sealing the win.

AQ Shipley Bio: Early Life, NFL, Personal Life & Net Worth>>

Third/Fourth Season with Dallas Cowboys 

Similarly, Harper also caught a 45-yard touchdown from quarterback Troy Aikman during the 52–17 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII.

He dunked the ball over the goalpost crossbar.

In 1993, Harper established himself as one of the best deep threats in the NFL with a 21.6 yards per catch average and a total of 36 receptions for 777 yards and five touchdowns.

Alvin again had a key play in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers after Troy Aikman was knocked out of the game with a concussion. 

During the game, Dallas backup quarterback Bernie Kosar connected with Harper for a 42-yard touchdown.

That year, Dallas returned to face the Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII, during which Aikman completed a 16-yard pass to give the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the six early in the fourth quarter.

Thus, that set up a one-yard run by running back Emmitt Smith and helped seal the Bills’ fate as Dallas won 30–13.

Nonetheless, Harper’s best year came in 1994, when he led the league with a 24.9 yards-per-reception average, catching 33 passes for 821 yards and eight touchdowns.

However, Dallas failed to make a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl with a 38–28 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 8, 1995, Harper signed a lucrative free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on his big-play ability and championship experience. 

Though he had a career-high 46 receptions for 633 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first season in Tampa, he could not live up to his free-agent billing.

Alvin missed the first 3 games of the season because of a left sprained medial collateral and a sprained left ankle in the first preseason game against the New York Jets.

Moreover, Harper clinched a 14-6 win in the fourth game against the Washington Redskins with a touchdown reception in the final 6 minutes.

His best game came against the Cincinnati Bengals with 6 receptions for 117 yards and no touchdowns.

Likewise, in 1996, Alvin appeared in 12 games with 7 starts, registering 19 receptions for 289 yards and one touchdown.

His top receiving game came in the third game against the Denver Broncos, making 2 receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Similarly, Harper had 4 receptions for 41 yards and no touchdowns in the fifth game against the Detroit Lions.

Harper was replaced with Robb Thomas in the second half of the sixth game against the Minnesota Vikings and would lose his job as the starter at wide receiver.

Thus, Harper started once more in the season finale against the Chicago Bears, in place of an injured Thomas.

On June 10, 1997, the Buccaneers released Alvin before the start of the season.

During his two years in Tampa, he was slowed by injuries and played in only 25 games, where he caught 65 passes for 922 yards and three touchdowns.

Miles Boykin Bio: Football, Career, NFL, Family & Net worth>>

Washington Redskins

Furthermore, on June 11, 1997, the Washington Redskins signed Alvin, gambling that he could flourish again after being reunited with head coach Norv Turner.

Harper was a reserve player in 12 games, in which he caught only 2 receptions for 65 yards in the fourth game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On December 1st, 1997, the redskins released Harper after he complained about his playing time, following the Redskins 20-23 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

New Orleans Saints/ Dallas Cowboys

Moreover, on December 2, 1997, Alvin was claimed off waiver by the New Orleans Saints.

However, Harper remained inactive for the last three games of the season and Saints him on July 24, 1998.

Furthermore, on October 14, 1999, Alvin was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to provide depth after Michael Irvin suffered a career-ending neck injury in the fourth game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Harper jersey number 80 was used by Ernie Mills, so he chose to wear number 82.

He appeared in 2 games as a reserve player and did not register any statistics.

The Cowboys released him on December 7th, 1998.

Thus, Alvin finished his eight NFL seasons with 191 receptions for 3,473 yards and 21 touchdowns.

He also rushed once for 15 yards, completed a pass for 46 yards, and recorded one defense interception.

Memphis Maniax (XFL)

In 2001, Alvin was signed by the Memphis Maniax of the XFL, reuniting with head coach Kippy Brown, who was his wide receivers coach with the University of Tennessee.

Moreover, Harper was a backup wide receiver and only posted one reception for 8 yards.

After he participated in representing Memphis Maniax, Harper retired from his football career. 

Alvin Harper | After Retirement 

Upon Alvin’s retirement, he volunteered as a  wide receivers coach at Howard University in 2004.

Moreover, Harper also worked in an NFL coaching internship as the Rhein Fire wide receivers assistant coach in NFL Europe during 2005. 

Alvin Harper | Net Worth 

Harper played in the NFL for many years and has undoubtedly made a name for himself as a wide receiver. 

Moreover, a player’s minimum salary in the National Football League ranges from $610 thousand to $30 million. 

Although not much information regarding Alvin Harper’s career earning is known, looking back at his career and profession, we can state that-

THE PRESUMABLE NET WORTH OF Alvin Harper FALLS AROUND $8 MILLION. 

Alvin Harper | Wife and Children 

Harper is married to Jamise Harper. Moreover, Harper is known for keeping a lot of his personal life a secret.

To this day, not much information about his wife and children is revealed by Alvin.

ncG1vNJzZmionJbGpr7Sm6CoZpOkunCty6%2Bgp2WYlr%2BxsdFo