2015_TWF_Journal-WEB

Bruce Harper
2015 Adult Honoree
2015 HONOREE
Bruce Harper played with the New York Jets for eight years, from 1977
to 1985. He 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.
He led the NFL with more than 2,000 all-purpose yards for two
consecutive years, and he led the AFC in the same category for four years.
He was voted the Jets MVP in 1980, was a two-time Pro Bowl alternate, and
held nine Jets records at one time. Several of those records stand today.
In 2003, Bruce was selected as the Return Specialist on the Jets’ Four Decade Team. Bruce works
as an ambassador with the New York Jets and is a board member of the Lodi Boys and Girls Club,
the American Cancer Society, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation Board and United
Water.
Bruce is co-founding Director of the non-for-profit organization Heroes and Cool Kids. Based in
school systems throughout New Jersey, the mentoring program reaches out to elementary and middleschool
kids by high school athletes and students of the same district. The program utilizes the services
of current and former professional athletes whose personal life experiences enable them to train high
school student leaders. The high school students then mentor middle school students on important
life skills, including sportsmanship, conflict resolution and positive lifestyle choices highlighting drug,
alcohol and tobacco prevention.
“The goal of Heroes & Cool Kids is to promote pro-social behavior in students and to create a caring
and disciplined school climate.” For more information about the organization, visit
heroesandcoolkids.org.
Trey Whitfield Foundation, Inc. 20 Twenty-Third Anniversary Banquet