Dwayne Harper, who played cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions during a 12-year professional football career, will be at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Next Level Performance by H.I.T. Athletic Academy Inc. from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 21.

Harper, 44, played college football at South Carolina State University and was drafted by the Seahawks in 1988. He had 24 interceptions in his NFL career, including four each in 1991 for Seattle and 1995 for San Diego. In 1992, Harper recovered a fumble and returned it 56 yards for his only career touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

In 1995, Harper earned a dubious place in Super Bowl history when wide receiver Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers beat him on a 7-yard slant and caught quarterback Steve Young’s record sixth touchdown pass. The 49ers beat San Diego 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX for their fifth championship.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman picked Harper to SI’s All-NFL team of the 1990s and the magazine’s 1991 All-NFL First Team and its 1995 All-Pro squad. Zimmerman wrote in August 2000 that “Harper is the most underrated corner of our generation.”

Tony Carter opened Next Level Performance by H.I.T. Athletic Academy Inc. in June to train athletes ages 8 and older, including adults, to improve their athletic performance. The facility on Avery Olsen Road – off River Road north of Navarre – will include a football field and a natural hill for inclined sprints and other exercises to improve speed, agility and core strength, qualities Davis said are needed in all sports.

For more information about Harper’s visit or Next Level Performance, call carter at 685-6266.