By R.L. Bynum
One of the best two-sport athletes in the history of Carolina athletics is getting the ultimate honor in the sport he dominated as a pro.
Julius Peppers will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 3, joining Chris Hanburger (2011) and Lawrence Taylor (1999) as Tar Heels to be enshrined. The 2024 Hall of Fame Class was announced Thursday.
The first-ballot Hall of Famer mixed his elite size with athleticism to become one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, quickly having an impact with the Carolina Panthers. He recorded 12 sacks, forced five fumbles and had an interception in earning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002.
Peppers was the second overall pick by the Panthers in the 2002 NFL draft, playing 10 seasons for them, four for the Chicago Bears and three for the Green Bay Packers. He earned nine Pro Bowl selections with 719 tackles, 75 tackles for losses, 52 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions. His 159½ sacks are the fourth-most since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
He’s the only player with at least 150 sacks and 10 interceptions (four that were returned for touchdowns). Peppers had at least 10 sacks in nine seasons, finishing his Panthers career with a franchise-record 97.
“We’ve always believed that Julius is one of the greatest football players to ever put on the pads and the announcement that he’ll be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame confirms it,” UNC coach Mack Brown said. “We couldn’t be prouder of Julius for the person, father, husband and friend he’s become, and it’s so rewarding to see him recognized for his significant accomplishments on the football field. He is now officially one of the greatest of all time, and we can’t congratulate him enough.”
A unanimous first-team All-American in 2001, he won the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation’s top defensive player and the Rotary Lombardi Award, which was given to the nation’s top interior lineman at the time.
Peppers finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy balloting, was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and was honored as Chevrolet’s Defensive Player of the Year. A first-team All-ACC selection in 2000 and 2001, Peppers finished his UNC career with 177 tackles, 30½ sacks, 53 tackles for losses, five interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Peppers helped the Tar Heels make the 2000 Final Four and collected 21 points and 10 rebounds in a second-round 2001 NCAA tournament game against Penn State.
“Julius Peppers’ dedication to football at every level epitomizes what a Hall of Famer should be, and we congratulate him wholeheartedly on this much-deserved honor,” UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham said. “He is not only one of the greatest to play football at Carolina, but also one of the greatest to play the game, period. We applaud and appreciate his talent, his generosity, and his legacy.”
Peppers had impressive longevity, making the Pro Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in his 14th season.
Joining Peppers in the 2024 Hall of Fame class are Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.
Image via @ProFootballHOF
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