February 8, 2024 | Football
CHAPEL HILL –Carolina football legend Julius Peppers will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall announced during the NFL Honors program on Thursday night. Peppers is the third Tar Heel to achieve Hall of Fame status, joining Chris Hanburger (2011) and Lawrence Taylor (1999). The members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 class will officially be enshrined in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3.
"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," said UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. "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."
A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Peppers was drafted by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft and went on to play 10 years for the Carolina Panthers, four years for the Chicago Bears, and three years for the Green Bay Packers. During his professional career, he earned nine Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honors, three second-team All-Pro recognitions, Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s. During his 17 seasons, Peppers tallied 719 tackles, 159.5 sacks, 175 TFL, 52 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries and 11 INTs. His 159.5 sacks are the fourth most since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
"What a couple of months for Julius Peppers with the announcements that he'll be inducted into both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame this year," said UNC Head Coach Mack Brown. "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. 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."
Peppers played in Chapel Hill from 1999-2001 becoming one of the most disruptive defensive players the sport has ever seen. 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 at the time was given to the nation's top interior lineman. He 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 both 2000 and '01, Peppers finished his collegiate career with 177 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 53 TFL, five INTs and five forced fumbles.
Peppers has also been extremely generous philanthropically, having donated to the UNC General Alumni Association's Light on the Hill Society Scholarship fund on two separate occasions. He was also the Panther's 2018 NFL Man of the Year nominee.
For up-to-date information on Carolina football, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@UNCFootball), Instagram (@uncfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).
FAQs
Julius Peppers will become the second Panthers legend in three years to be inducted in the Hall. He'll follow the late Sam Mills, who was inducted in 2022.
Is Peppers going into the Hall of Fame as a bear? ›
Relive the dominance that was Julius Peppers as the former Bear is voted to the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Class.
Did Julius Peppers play basketball for the UNC? ›
Julius Peppers' hoop dreams. Before he was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Panthers, he was an aspiring basketball player at UNC, taking part in a Final Four run and making people wonder how good he could have been in another sport.
Who's playing in the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame game? ›
The NFL's 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game will feature the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans, the Hall announced on Tuesday. Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers of the Bears and Andre Johnson from the Texans are among the former players who will be enshrined as members of the Class of 2024.
Do the Carolina Panthers have anyone in the Hall of Fame? ›
The Carolina Panthers have four Pro Football Hall of Famers and six members in their Hall of Honor.
What are Julius Peppers known for? ›
A nine-time Pro Bowler, Peppers played 17 seasons and ranks sixth all-time among defensive players with 266 career games played. He is the only player in NFL history with at least 150 sacks and 10 or more interceptions. Finished career ranked fourth in NFL history with 159.5 career sacks...
Who made the Hof in 2024? ›
The NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was announced tonight, including notable players Steve McMichael, Devin Hester, and Julius Peppers from the Chicago Bears. Andre Johnson was also inducted. Among the inductees are Dwight Freeney, Patrick Willis, and Randy Gradishar, while no coaches or contributors were elected.
Who from the 85 Bears is in the Hall of Fame? ›
McMichael becomes the seventh member of the '85 Bears to be inducted into the Hall of Fame — joining Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Jim Covert and Mike Dikta. McMichael is the fourth player from the legendary '85 Bears defense, widely considered to be the greatest ever, to be enshrined.
Have the Bears ever had a Hall of Fame QB? ›
The Chicago Bears are in second place with four Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks. Eight teams claim three Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks: the Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers, Chicago Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers.
Is Julius Peppers a hall of famer? ›
Mic'd Up: Julius Peppers enters the Hall of Fame
Go inside Julius Peppers' NFL Honors weekend, where he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.
What position did Julius Peppers play in high school? ›
During his high school career, Peppers played running back and defensive lineman, finished his career with 3,501 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns, and was one of the most dangerous defensive linemen in the state. Peppers lettered in basketball and was voted all-conference as a power forward for four consecutive years.
What NFL team has the most players in the Hall of Fame? ›
With 39 Hall of Famers, the Bears still own the most HOFs in the NFL. Here are all 40 members from the Bears franchise who are in the Hall of Fame, coaches included: Doug Atkins. George Blanda.
How much do Hall of Fame game tickets cost? ›
Starting prices for NFL Hall Of Fame Game tickets are usually around $103.99, while the most expensive seating options will be priced up to $906.19. The average price for a NFL Hall Of Fame Game ticket during the NFL season is $173.17.
How many NFL Hall of Famers are there? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's charter class of 17 members was enshrined on September 7, 1963. With the enshrinement of the Class of 2023, there are 371 members in the Hall of Fame.
Is Julius Peppers a first ballot Hall of Famer? ›
Julius Peppers has been elected as the 377th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and that is only befitting a man of his rare talent.
Will Andre Johnson be in the HOF? ›
Andre Johnson is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Andre Johnson is a once-in-a-generation player, and he is now the first Texans' player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson is part of the Class of 2024 that will enter the Hall of Fame this August.
How long was Julius Peppers on the Panthers? ›
Julius Peppers
| No. 90, 56 |
|---|
| College: | North Carolina (1998–2001) |
| NFL draft: | 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2 |
| Career history |
| Carolina Panthers (2002–2009) Chicago Bears (2010–2013) Green Bay Packers (2014–2016) Carolina Panthers (2017–2018) |
19 more rowsJulius Adams has not been elected into the Hall of Fame.
