Julius Peppers to Enter Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame

Photo Credits: Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers

Defensive end Julius Peppers has strived off his “prove it” mentality, and it has led him to be named a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class and the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. 

Peppers was drafted as the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. In his 17-year career, Peppers played for the Panthers, Bear and Packers. He returned to Carolina to finish his career and retired in 2018.  

Peppers quickly became one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league and was the single-season sack leader for each franchise he played for at least once. But there were a lot of questions and skepticism about the kind of player he was, and even if he was worthy of being taken that high in the draft.

“My motivation and my main thought at that time was just to come in and prove that I belong, that I was wanting to be better,” Peppers said.

The Panthers were struggling when they drafted Peppers, but he was not concerned about coming onto that team. In fact, Peppers saw it as a challenge and opportunity to be a part of building and working for something. 

Peppers made a large statement his rookie year, averaging a sack per game and winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Peppers said that his debut game against the Ravens is how he knew he could be a standout player.

“We had a blitz called I came to get the sack, but it actually wasn’t a sack; it was a pass deflection, and then I ended up catching it for an interception and that was to close out the game,” Peppers said. “So that in itself, that first game to be able to make a big play at the end of the game gave me a big boost of confidence to let me know that you know, I could do it.” 

Peppers would go on to play an incredible career that silenced the naysayers. He finished his career ranked fourth in NFL history with 159.5 career sacks, he is the only player in NFL history with at least 150 sacks and 10 or more interceptions, he is ranked first in the NFL among active players with 13 blacked kicks, he played in 266 games which is tied for sixth all-time among defensive players and was named to nine Pro Bowls which is also tied for sixth among all active players at the time of his retirement. 

In addition to his impressive standing in the NFL, he also finished his career as the all-time leader in sacks and forced fumbles in Panthers’ history with 97 and 34 respectively. He is also tied for third all-time in defensive touchdowns with three. 

Before his time as an NFL star, Peppers was just another Tar Heel on UNC’s campus. He played for the Heels from 1999-2001 and his dominance on the field was unmatched. 

He finished his college career ranked second all-time in UNC history with 30.5 sacks and accumulated 53 tackles for loss, 167 tackles, five interceptions and 42 quarterback pressures.

His mastery did not just stay on the field, but also transferred to the court. Peppers was part of the 1999 and 2000 UNC Basketball team and appeared in 56 games. The footwork, agility and body control he needed on the court translated well to football and helped Peppers develop his style of play. 

“People always asked me like, how are you able to do that,” Peppers said. “At the time, it was just I was having fun. I was playing the sports that I love. It wasn’t a job. It wasn’t work. It wasn’t hard or anything. I was just playing. So, it was a great time when I had just to be carefree and have fun playing sports.” 

Peppers does not necessarily remember games, but he does remember and think about all of his teammates a lot. 

“I remember a few plays and stuff like that, but most of the time, it’s the people that you remember,” Peppers said. “Even in the league, even throughout my career in the league, it’s the people and the relationships that you built over the years that sick out to me.” 

Peppers still has a good relationship with former Panthers head coach John Fox, who had a great influence on Peppers’ career. Fox once told Peppers, “Nobody is going to come save you,” and this piece of advice is something Peppers has carried with him throughout his career. 

“If you’re going through a hard time in the season, you’re going through a tough period of time throughout the season, you got to figure out a way to get it done because nobody is going to come and figure it out for you, you got to figure it out for yourself,” Peppers said.