Former University of Alabama star Roman Harper is having quite the week.
On Monday, he and his wife welcomed the birth of their son, Seoul Chankoowashtay Harper.
“Humbling [because] no matter what we plan as adults and people it still remains up to God and His will. God this is your child. … Son I love you already more than words can explain. My first piece of advice and I will continue to preach this to you until my last breathe: Trust in the faith the Lord has blessed with in you and NO MATTER WHAT you do ‘don’t ever lose your name to anything on this earth.’ If you do that the world will be yours and all of its treasures. Seoul be exactly what God has destined you for,” Harper wrote on social media.
That same day, it was reported that Harper is joining the ESPN family as an analyst and the fourth chair on the SEC Network’s popular “SEC Nation” Saturday college football show. Harper and former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers are reportedly replacing Paul Finebaum and Marcus Spears on SEC Nation. Laura Rutledge and Tim Tebow remain with the show.
Harper moves to the SEC Network from WDSU, a New Orleans-area television station.
In related news, it was announced Tuesday that Harper is one of two players in 2020 being inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
Harper was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Saints after a standout college career with the Crimson Tide. The Prattville native played strong safety for New Orleans from 2006-2013. He was named to two Pro Bowls during that time, including in the 2009 season when the Saints won their first ever Super Bowl.
After a stint with the Carolina Panthers, Harper returned to play his final NFL season with the Saints in 2016.
In total, Harper played in 156 games with 140 starts in his 11-season NFL career, posting totals of 905 tackles, 18 sacks, 11 interceptions, 68 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. During the period in which he played, no defensive back in the NFL had more sacks than Harper.
In a tweet about how much the Saints Hall of Fame honor means to him, Harper made it clear that he still cherishes his Bama roots.
One of the biggest and best honors I’ve received in my lifetime. Being recognized as a @Saints hall of gamer is something my family and I will cherish the rest of our lives. Who Dat 4 Life???? And Roll Tide one more time for all my LSU haters out there that I’ve grown to love???? https://t.co/5rmZCRsvNv
— Roman Harper (@Harp41) June 23, 2020
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
