Roland Harper

Roland Harper (born February 28, 1953) played eight seasons as a fullback for the Chicago Bears in the NFL after playing college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Selected in the 17th and final round of the 1975 NFL Draft, he became a starter in his rookie season, joining fellow rookie Walter Payton in the backfield. Known as a punishing blocker who opened holes for Payton, Harper ranks sixth on the Bears' all-time rushing list with 3,044 yards and 15 touchdowns on 757 carries. He was inducted into the Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.