Tag: Julius Peppers

49ers TE George Kittle recalls NFL debut vs. Julius Peppers, Cam Newton: ‘I’m gonna die’

49ers TE George Kittle was welcomed into the NFL by a couple of freaks of nature back in 2017.

At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds and at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Carolina Panthers legends Julius Peppers and Cam Newton were two absolute freaks of nature on the football field. So just imagine the shock of having to face them both—and in your NFL debut, no less.

Well, George Kittle didn’t have to imagine it, because he actually experienced it.

The San Francisco 49ers tight end lived to tell that tale on this week’s episode of the Cleats & Convos podcast, hosted by his teammate and All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel. When Samuel asked Kittle about his “Welcome to the NFL” moment, Kittle looked back on his regular-season debut against the Panthers from 2017 . . .

That matchup saw Carolina dominate San Francisco en route to a 23-3 victory. Newton passed for a pair of touchdowns while Peppers, in the first game of his second act with the Panthers, posted half a sack.

Kittle, who came out a-okay, reeled in five passes for 27 yards.

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UNC football’s top 2026 recruiting target poses with fellow program legend

Kendre Harrison, UNC’s top 2026 football recruiting target, got his picture taken alongside a North Carolina football legend during UNC-Pitt.

The North Carolina Tar Heels can recruit all the high-end football talent they want, but unless there’s drastic changes within the program, we’ll experience the same, disappointing results year-after-year.

Landing commitments from big-time recruits has to pay off eventually though, right?

UNC already has 14 commitments in the Class of 2025, including in-state 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker, who’ll compete with Conner Harrell for the starting gig in 2025.

North Carolina is already looking ahead to its 2026 recruiting class, too, with its highest priority 5-star tight end Kendre Harrison. According to 247Sports, Harrison’s the top-ranked tight end, third-ranked player in North Carolina and 17th-ranked player nationally.

The Tar Heels are throwing every recruiting trick they have at Harrison, with hopes his commitment can spurn a chain reaction.

UNC’s latest recruiting effort involved bringing in Harrison for Saturday’s UNC-Pitt game. Not only was Harrison in attendance at Kenan Stadium, but he was pictured alongside an all-time program great in Julius Peppers.

Peppers was going to be in Chapel Hill Saturday regardless, as he was being honored for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Peppers is second-all time in North Carolina history with 30.5 sacks, plus fourth all-time in NFL history with 159.5 sacks.

Harrison, also an in-state standout, is in his third season at Reidsville High School. Harrison broke out last year, catching 62 passes for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also helping the Rams’ basketball team to a state championship.

While the Tar Heels’ third-consecutive loss probably wasn’t appealing to Harrison, getting his picture taken alongside an all-time UNC athlete made his trip to Chapel Hill worthwhile.

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Julius Peppers to be honored at UNC’s homecoming football game

Julius Peppers was one of the greatest football players to ever come through Chapel Hill. Peppers will be honored at Saturday’s UNC-Pitt game for his endless list of contributions.

When it comes to the greatest defensive players in both college football and NFL history, look no further than Julius Peppers.

A former 2-sport athlete who shifted to focus solely on football entering the 2001 college football season, his final one at UNC, Peppers continuously struck fear into opposing quarterbacks. He finished his Tar Heel career with 30.5 sacks, second-most in program history, then earned a Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction for his consistent, star-level production at the professional level.

The Pro Football HOF isn’t the only Hall of Fame Peppers is being inducted to.

On Saturday, Oct. 5 during North Carolina’s homecoming game against Pitt, Peppers will be honored for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

“During the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, each electee returns to his respective school to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will stay on permanent display at the institution,” the National Football Foundation writes. “The events take place on the field during a home game, and many Hall of Famers cite the experience as the ultimate capstone to their careers, providing them one more chance to take the field and be recognized in front of their home crowd.”

Peppers’ UNC career was impressive, which also included him being named a First Team All-American, Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award winner in 2001, but the NFL truly cemented Peppers’ legacy.

Peppers played 17 professional seasons with the Carolina Panthers (10), Chicago Bears (four) and Green Bay Packers (three), registering 159.5 sacks (fourth all-time). Peppers was the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a 9-time Pro Bowler and he added six defensive touchdowns.

Tar Heel Nation is forever thankful that Peppers chose to spend a small part of his legendary football career in Chapel Hill. Even if you’re not watching Saturday’s UNC-Pitt game for the game itself, make sure you tune in – or attend in-person, if you can – to watch Peppers be honored.

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Panthers honor Julius Peppers’ Hall of Fame enshrinement in special ceremony

Here are the best sights and sounds from Sunday’s ceremony for Panthers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.

Carolina Panthers legend Julius Peppers may have been officially enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame nearly two months ago, but the party hasn’t stopped.

During halftime of Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Panthers honored their local legend and all-time leading sack artist. Peppers, in a special ceremony, came back home and received his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence—the icing on top of his immortalized football legacy.

Here are the best scenes from the memorable return to Bank of America Stadium . . .

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16 former Panthers named preliminary nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame

16 former Panthers, and a current assistant coach, were named amongst the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 167 preliminary nominees for the 2025 class.

Which Carolina Panthers great could be joining Julius Peppers in Canton, Ohio? Well, 16 of them will at least have a shot.

On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 167 preliminary nominees for their 2025 class. Among those listed were 16 former Panthers.

Those players are as follows:

  • QB Jake Delhomme
  • RB Stephen Davis
  • RB/WR Eric Metcalf
  • WR Muhsin Muhammad
  • WR Steve Smith Sr.
  • TE Wesley Walls
  • TE Jeremy Shockey
  • OT Jordan Gross
  • C Ryan Kalil
  • DE Jared Allen
  • LB Jessie Armstead
  • LB Luke Kuechly
  • LB Lee Woodall
  • S Eugene Robinson
  • CB Charles Tillman
  • K John Kasay

Headlining the group is Kuechly, who is now in his first year of eligibility for the honor. The 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Pro spoke about the possibility of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer back in February.

“I think when you think about the Hall of Fame, it’s obviously awesome,” Kuechly said on an episode of Up & Adams. “It’s the highest honor that you can have as a football player on an individual basis. And you look at the guys that got in there at the linebacker position, the guys I grew up watching—Derrick Brooks, Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, obviously Pep got in. Those three guys that I mentioned and then Patrick [Willis]. And all of ’em were a little bit different.”

Former cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who is currently the assistant defensive backs coach for Carolina, was also one of the 167 nominees.

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Panthers legend Julius Peppers offers words of encouragement after rough Week 1 loss

Panthers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers put yesterday’s tough loss into perspective.

Carolina Panthers fans, we know you could really use a hug right now. But if you can’t get one, the next best thing can be found over on Twitter/X.

Sunday was an absolute horror show for the Panthers—who were clubbed, from pillar to post, by the New Orleans Saints to open the 2024 regular season. The 47-10 loss featured a frightening performance from second-year quarterback Bryce Young, a ghastly showing from the defense and some scary bad effort by special teams.

But franchise legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers offered a bit of perspective on the defeat this morning . . .

Peppers learned that very lesson from the get-go of his NFL career, as he was drafted to a 1-15 team with the second overall pick in 2002. He’d proceed to help Carolina bump their record to 7-9 as a rookie, and then to 11-5 and a Super Bowl appearance the season after.

So while we can’t expect the current team to fast-track themselves to success like Pep’s Panthers did, a lane to greener pastures is out there somewhere. Take it from No. 90.

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Julius Peppers officially inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former North Carolina Tar Heel dual-sport athlete will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after 17 seasons in the league with three different teams including the Carolina Panthers.

Let me take you back to 1998 when a young, dual-sport athlete born in Wilson, North Carolina, was deciding on where he would attend college. He chose his hometown Tar Heels as the suitor for his talents.

After he redshirted in 1998 during his freshman year, Peppers started 34 games over the next three years in football for the Tar Heels. His best season came in his senior year where he finished top ten in the Heisman voting. Peppers also played basketball at North Carolina from 1999-2001 where he averaged 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his senior year.

It did not take long for the defensive end to hear his name called in the 2002 NFL Draft going No. 2 overall to his home state Carolina Panthers. The rest is history. Peppers played for the Panthers from 2002 to 2009 where he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year as well as two First-Team All-Pro selections. In his second to last year with the Panthers, Peppers had 51 combined tackles, 14.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

His career transitioned to the Chicago Bears where he played four years with the team from 2010 to 2013. While in Chicago, Peppers received another First-Team All-Pro selection and three more Pro Bowls.

The last three meaningful years of his career before he made his return home to Carolina came with the Green Bay Packers from 2014-2016 where he secured one last Pro Bowl nomination.

He played his last season in the NFL in 2018 with the Carolina Panthers before retiring a legend. He was named to the NFL’s 2000s and 2010s All-Decade teams as well as the Carolina Panthers Ring of Honor and the list of 100 Greatest Chicago Bears.

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How to watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Here’s how you can watch the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony:

A Carolina Panthers icon is less than 24 hours away from solidifying his legacy.

Tomorrow, Julius Peppers officially takes his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And in case you need the rundown on how to tune in, we’ve got you covered . . .

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
Television: ESPN, NFL Network
Stream: Fubo

The order of the enshrinements is as follows:

  • Dwight Freeney | Presenter: Jim Irsay (Colts owner)
  • Steve McMichael | Presenter: Jarrett Payton (Walter Payton’s son)
  • Randy Gradishar | Presenter: Tom Jackson (former Broncos LB)
  • Devin Hester | Presenter: Juanita Brown (Hester’s mother)
  • Patrick Willis | Presenter: Ernicka Willis (Wills’ sister)
  • Julius Peppers | Presenter: Carl Carey (Peppers’ agent)
  • Andre Johnson | Presenter: Gary Kubiak (former Texans HC)

Peppers will be the fifth individual with Panthers ties to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’ll join Reggie White (2006), Bill Polian (2015), Kevin Greene (2016) and Sam Mills (2022).

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UNC and NFL legend Julius Peppers applauded at Hall of Fame Game Thursday night

Julius Peppers, who starred at UNC from 1999-2001 but ended his NFL career as a Hall-of-Famer, made a special appearance at the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.

Saturday, August 3 is going to be a special day for seven former football stars, as they’ll hear their names called during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony.

All-Pro return man Devin Hester and star wide receiver Andre Johnson, both of whom played for the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes, are two of the more recent inductees to play in an NFL game. You also have a pair of legendary defenders in linebacker Patrick Willis and edge rusher Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman and – last but not least – former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Julius Peppers, who has the fourth-most NFL sacks all-time.

Peppers held the rare distinction of being a 2-sport athlete at UNC, playing both basketball and football. The latter was his calling, though, with Peppers recording 30.5 carer sacks in Chapel Hill, being named First Team All-ACC twice and winning the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2001.

Peppers was even better as a pro. Along with his 159.5 sacks ranking fourth all-time, Peppers made the Pro Bowl nine times, was a 3-time First Team All-Pro and the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

While Peppers waits to hear his name called during Saturday’s induction ceremony, he enjoyed a special moment before the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Jk0Txtc5Q/?img_index=1

It’s customary for inductees to spend the week before in Canton, Ohio – where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is – but it feels even more special to see Peppers there.

What’s even more bittersweet for Peppers, is the fact he got to walk out before his Chicago Bears played. Peppers suited up in Chicago from 2010-2013, though he spent 10 of his 17 years with the Carolina Panthers.

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Where does Julius Peppers rank on ESPN’s list of the 2000’s Top 25 football players?

Quarterbacks did not want to see UNC and NFL legend Julius Peppers in the backfield.

There are few football players who had the kind of defensive impact that former UNC football player Julius Peppers did.

Peppers, a homegrown North Carolina talent from Wilson, finished his Tar Heel career with 30.5 sacks. He was First Team-All ACC in both 2000 and 2001, an multi-award winner and unanimous All-American in 2001, all of which helped him get selected second overall by the Carolina Panthers, in the 2002 NFL Draft.

Peppers was an even better professional football player, starting with his Rookie of the Year campaign, in which he finished with 12 sacks and 28 solo tackles. 10 of Peppers’ 17 NFL seasons were spent in Charlotte – his first eight and final two – while he also recorded double-digit sack totals in 10 NFL seasons.

After the 2018 campaign, Peppers retired. He still currently sits fourth all-time in sacks with 159.5, was named First Team All-Pro in 2004, 2006 and 2010, a 9-time Pro Bowler and is now a Hall of Famer.

With all the accolades Peppers collected in his football career, it’s no surprise he’s amongst ESPN’s Top 25 football players since 2000.

Peppers is ranked 24th, just above former Wisconsin and now-Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor, plus a spot below former LSU standout Tyrann Mathieu.

“There’s a pretty easy case for Julius Peppers to rank much higher on this list: No one else here posted a double-double in an NCAA (basketball) tournament game,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote. “Peppers was just a staggering athletic specimen, measuring 6-7, 283 pounds and running a 4.7 40 at the NFL combine. And after a solid redshirt freshman campaign (10 TFLs, six sacks), he went from good to great, leading the nation with 15 sacks as a sophomore and earning Heisman votes as a junior. He went second in the 2002 NFL draft and ended up a Hall of Famer at two different levels of the sport.”

I’m fully convinced that if Peppers wanted to make an NFL return at age 44 today, he would still wreak havoc.

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