| abstract | - Bruce Harper (born June 20, 1955) was an American football running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kutztown by the Jets in 1977. Bruce Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5407 yards in kickoff returns. He also served as the Jets punt returner from 1977 to 1982, totalling 1748 PR yards and 1 touchdown. Harper also played running back. His total yards are 11429: 1829 rushing yards, 2409 receiving yards, 1784 PR yards and 5407 KR yards. Harper played high school football at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. Harper's 42 jersey is the jersey worn by diehard Jets fan (and leader of the J-E-T-S chant) Fireman Ed. Harper was a longtime resident of Norwood, New Jersey, but now lives in Closter, New Jersey. Harper is founder and director of the non-for-profit organization Heroes & Cool Kids. Based in school systems throughout New Jersey, the mentoring program reaches out to elementary and middle-school kids by high school athletes and students of the same district. The high school students are trained through the Heroes and Cool Kids' curriculum and by former professional athletes, such as former NFL player, Keith Elias, former LA Lakers player, John Celestand, and former NJ Nets player, Tim Bassett.
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