Julius Peppers is arguably one of the best defensive ends in the history of the NFL, if not the best of the past 20 years. Peppers broke onto the scene almost immediately after being the second overall pick in the 2002 draft out of UNC. Although he left the franchise he called home to chase a Super Bowl ring, the dominant defender returned back home to North Carolina to cap off a sure-fire Hall of Fame career.
Julius Peppers decided to announce his retirement today after 17 seasons in the NFL. Peppers made the announcement official through the Panthers social media today.
Julius Peppers has something to say… pic.twitter.com/VKGjFmlWum
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 1, 2019
Peppers’ accolades speak for themselves. Nine-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time All-Pro, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002, a member of the 2000s All-Decade team and 159.5 career sacks which ranks him fourth all-time in NFL history only trailing three other Hall of Famers in Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Kevin Greene and ahead of three other Hall of Famers in Chris Doleman, Michael Strahan and Jason Taylor.
In 2010 Peppers left Carolina to join the Chicago Bears to chase a championship and then the Green Bay Packers in 2014 to do the same thing but he returned in 2017 to put the finishing touches on his career. Peppers joins Thomas Davis, fellow member of the Panthers defense for over a decade, as two cornerstones of their franchise to depart the team this offseason. Davis was informed that Carolina would not be bringing Davis back after 14 years.
Peppers also holds the Panthers franchise record for career sacks, career forced fumbles and the longest interception return in team history with a 97 yards pick against the Denver Broncos in October 2004.
It should be a no-brainer that Peppers will be enshrined in Canton but above all else, by all accounts, Peppers not only was a strong player on the field but also a strong member of the community off the field. He spent a majority of his career home in North Carolina and was an impactful part of the community.
