Harper Remembered For Fumble Play

Earlier this year, ’BAMA Magazine continued a long tradition of having its readers select the Alabama Team of the Decade. The team was previously announced, but this summer we are revisiting and taking a deeper look at those selected. Linebacker Rolando McClain was the Player of the Decade.

Readers of ’BAMA Magazine had the opportunity to select four defensive backs when they chose the Alabama football Team of the Decade for the first ten years of the New Millennium (2000-2009). One of those selected was Roman Harper of Prattville, who played for the Crimson Tide 2002-05.

Harper is one of those Alabama players who is forever remembered for one play, even though he made dozens and dozens of outstanding plays in his Crimson Tide career. In his senior season, his bone jarring tackle of a Tennessee fullback near the Alabama goalline caused a fumble that went out of the end zone for a touchback. From there, Bama drove to a field goal with 13 seconds to play to defeat the Vols 6-3.

Harper was an All-SEC performer his senior season. He was a four-year regular and three-year starter.

He was part of the 100-tackle triumverate of 2003 when DeMeco Ryans had 126, Harper 111, and Derrick Pope 105. He had 300 tackles in his career at safety and also had five interceptions and caused five fumbles.

Following his Alabama career, Harper was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and is the starting safety for the Super Bowl champions of 2009.

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series on members of the Alabama Team of the Decade.