If you find a football player who plays the game harder than former UNC football and Carolina Panthers legend Julius Peppers, please let us know.
Peppers played four seasons as a Tar Heel, being named first-team All-ACC in 2000 and 2001. Peppers was an All-American and won numerous awards after his 2001 campaign, including the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the best defensive player in college football.
Similar to basketball legend Michael Jordan, Peppers was an even better pro football player. After the Panthers selected him second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, Peppers went on to play 17 NFL seasons – 10 of which were in Charlotte.
With a professional career that included the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, nine Pro Bowl nominations, three years as a First Team All-Pro, 719 tackles and a sack total (159.5) that ranks fourth all-time, it’s no surprise Peppers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As is customary, all HOF inductees receive a Gold Jacket. Check out how Peppers’ face lights up when he sees his for the first time:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TAMAktVIE/
Now 44 years old, Peppers still looks like he could play football. Peppers produced right up until his retirement, recording one-tenth of his career sacks during his final two years as a Panther.
Lawrence Taylor and Chris Hanburger join Peppers as North Carolina football alumni in the Hall of Fame. Will any additional UNC standouts end their careers in Canton?
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