Willie?s Wisdom: Once a Husker, Always a Husker

Randy York’s N-Sider

If you’re looking for an interesting twist to Nebraska’s opportunity to end college football’s longest home-game winning streak in back-to-back seasons, consider this: The father of Fresno State’s leading receiver simply cannot find it in himself to root against the team that Josh Harper will be trying to beat every chance he gets.

“Every time I turn around, people keep asking me the same question: Who you going to root for?” said Willie Harper, who introduced the question without me ever asking it. Nebraska’s two-time first-team All-America defensive end brought up the subject himself. In his 26th year as senior pastor of the Jesus Christ For All Nations Church in Pleasanton, Calif., Willie knows me well enough that I would have found some way to bridge to that question later, but I was thrilled when he beat me to the punch.

 Willie Harper: I Never Pull Against Nebraska

 “People who keep asking me the same question should know that you never really root against Nebraska, even when your son is on the other side of the field,” Willie told me. “This is my son. My desire is for him and the team he plays on to flourish. They have talent and they are well coached. But I never pull against Nebraska. How could you ever do that?”

 The second Willie asked his own existential question, he laughed … heartily … and then he laughed some more. “We all know the answer: Once a Husker, Always a Husker!” Harper said and then he laughed again at a punch line he’s heard forever and finally realizes how true it really is. Call it Willie’s Wisdom, something he shares nearly every Sunday at his church in Pleasanton, Calif.

 Full disclosure: Willie Harper is one of my favorite Huskers of all time, even when he was just a sophomore. Nebraska’s 17-12 win over LSU gave the 1970 Huskers their first-ever national championship, and Harper was a vital factor in that slugfest. He was named the Orange Bowl’s Outstanding Lineman and went on to play 11 years with the San Francisco 49ers and two more years in the United States Football League.

Please join The N-Sider’s conversation with this legendary Husker:

Q: With Sunday services, will your family be in Fresno in full force Saturday night?

A: We will be there in numbers. It will be a great time and a grand time. We have about 30 tickets in our family and we’re all excited to be there.

Q: Last year, Nebraska snapped Michigan’s 19-game home winning streak.  Now Fresno State has the nation's longest with 13 straight. Your thoughts?

A: I see things and I talk football from a different perspective than most. This is a fun period in football and one thing I do believe in is miracles. (Harper’s laugh reappears immediately after he makes that statement). Seriously, I do believe in football miracles, too. I watched the Nebraska-McNeese State game and I’ve watched Fresno lose two to USC and Utah.

Q: As a football guy, what do you see?

A: I saw some things from both teams that concern me, and I think it’s interesting to reflect back on some of your own experiences. There’s a difference between a 3-team and a 5-team, just like there’s a difference between a 3-star and a 5-star athlete. At San Francisco, we won a Super Bowl with a three-star team. We did something no one ever expected us to do in 1982. In the three years before we won, we had back-to-back 2-and-14 records followed by a 6-and-10 record. There are 3’s and 5’s in the pros just like there are 3’s and 5’s in high school and college.

Q: How do you measure the differences?

A: I understand what camaraderie is all about and I recognize talent when I see it. To me, it seems like so many want to prove how physical they are instead of taking care of business to help the guy who’s right next to you. I’ve seen on film and I’ve seen live how a 5-star athlete tries to be like a torpedo or a missile and explode their way through a tackle instead of be fundamentally sound and make the tackle the right way. They forget the principles of the game and it’s not just happening in college football. It’s happening in the pros. I believe in the perspectives of fundamentals and playing for each other.

Q: How many stars would you give Fresno?

A: I expect Fresno to be at a fever pitch for its first home game of the season. I expect nothing other than that. We have guys who have potential to do great things. It’s more a question of when than a question of if. You can’t depend on your ability; you have to be fundamentally sound. You have to gather your feet instead of trying to dislodge every member of someone’s body. I don’t like the game going to where everyone wants to make the sudden impact and everyone wants to make the big hit. You need to realize that you may be taking yourself out with a big hit instead of the guy you’re hitting.

Q: You feel strongly about this. What’s the bottom line?

A: I’m just looking for the teams that approach the game smarter and more fundamentally. I’m looking for more intelligence at all levels. I mean, how much more can the body take? Those lines can’t hold up anymore. The knees can’t take it.

Q: You played 13 years in the pros. How did you hold up?

A: First, I was blessed. Second, I stayed in shape year-round. Third, I was in the film room all the time. I studied the game. I did my homework. Fourth, I didn’t do a whole lot of partying.

Q: How has Josh, your youngest, prepared himself to play at the next level?

A: He’s absolutely interested in playing professionally. He’s not what I would call a prototype, but not every receiver in the NFL is a prototype. He has the skill sets, and those are evident. He’s not easily rattled. He’s strong enough to defend himself. He’s in terrific shape. His body is conditioned; he’s strong. He’s put on five or 10 pounds every year. He needs the added weight and strength to be physical and match up with his other skill sets for the game.

Q: What’s it like for him playing against a team his family has always rooted for?

A: He wants to give his best and be at his best. I’m 64 and life has been and continues to be good, even great. We have nine children, 13 grandkids and two great grandkids. At this stage, I’m glad I never have to explain the goal to be at your best against the best. This is a special time. We get the opportunity to break bread together and enjoy the competition.

Q: Do you stay in touch with any former Huskers?

A: I talk to Rich Glover all the time. Johnny Rodgers and I stay in touch. Tom Roberson, Daryl White, Dave Humm – we talk on the phone. I text Tony Davis and he texts back. That’s just off the top of my head. I love Nebraska, I love the people, and I love Tom Osborne. Would you please say hello to Tom from me and express my gratitude for all he has done at Nebraska? I hold him in high regard. He is a tremendous individual and a tremendous leader.

Q: Last question: What do you think of Ameer Abdullah’s Heisman Trophy chances?

A: I don’t know where you can find a better back than Ameer. He’s a running threat. He catches the ball out of the backfield. He’s not an easy guy to hit, and he’s very strong. He kind of reminds me of Johnny Rodgers … he has one speed … explosive … he makes people miss. I saw three McNeese State guys try to tackle almost at once, and none of them could get him down on the ground. As long as Nebraska keeps winning, Ameer has a legitimate chance to win the Heisman.

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