Social media reacts to Julius Peppers’ HOF Induction
In recent years, defense has been a pretty glaring weak spot for the UNC football team.
It appeared to be fixed early in the 2023 season, but that was short-lived. The Tar Heels had plenty of talent on defense, headlined by linebackers Cedric Gray and Kaimon Rucker, but former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik was never able to get the most out of them.
One of the best defensive players to come out of UNC, however, was Julius Peppers (1999-2001). He had a penchant for getting after the opposing quarterback, as Peppers ranks second all-time in program history with 30.5 sacks. Peppers also knew how to wrap up ballcarriers, recording 167 career tackles.
Peppers’ NFL career was even more impressive, as he played 10 of his 17 season with the Carolina Panthers. Peppers ranks fourth in NFL history with 159.5 sacks, totaled 716 tackles, intercepted 11 passes, scored four touchdowns and played in 266 of 272 games (sixth-most by a defensive player).
Peppers was an even more dangerous sack machine in the NFL, notching seven in every season but his final one in 2018. I still wonder if Peppers could contribute today, despite being 44.
You might be wondering – with a resumé that impressive, will Peppers find himself enshrined in Canton, Ohio’s Pro Football Hall of Fame?
No doubt.
On Thursday, Feb. 8, Peppers was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the NFL Honors Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev.
It’s official – Julius Peppers is headed to Canton! 👏 pic.twitter.com/LCGVr9ugKN
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 9, 2024
JULIUS PEPPERS too !!!!!
— RaZilla Global (@RaZillaGlobal) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers played EDGE in a style that’s barely been equaled in the NFL. Sack machine, FF machine, pass deflection machine, and did it as an all-decade member for two decades.
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) February 9, 2024
Chapel Hill ▶️ Canton
Julius Peppers is a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer 🐏
🔗 https://t.co/KrYmfcTch3#CarolinaFootball 🏈 #UNCommon pic.twitter.com/jA7lKWjtO0
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers is the only athlete in sports history to play in both the Final Four and the Super Bowl. Congrats on the #HOF
— London Fletcher Stan (@PFF_Commanders) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers is the first player drafted by the Panthers selected to the Pro Football HOF. Carolina was criticized by some for taking the DE second overall over QB Joey Harrington in 2002. JH had a 26-50 record in six seasons. Pep’s 159.5 sacks ranks 4th in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/woARzGGvzq
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) February 9, 2024
Congrats to the 1st Ballet HOF @juliuspeppers_ 🌶️ 🐐🔥🔥🔥 #GoHeels 🐏#KeepPounding ✊🏾
— Tre Boston (@TreBos10) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers tha most athletic end I’ve ever seen in tha league
— WHO GREATER (@40acresNuhblunt) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers: The only player in NFL history with 100+ career sacks and 10+ career INTs
Next stop: Canton, Ohio 📍 pic.twitter.com/03j8UNcPNQ
— PFF (@PFF) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers UNC jersey the first football jersey I ever owned ….so happy for my guy , we gotta get Smitty in there now
— Uncle 🅿️🚦March 8️⃣th (@MettaWorld_Mack) February 9, 2024
Panthers legend Julius Peppers is heading to the @ProFootballHOF.
Here's @juliuspeppers_ racking up 11 sacks at 37 years old (2017).
Bravo, Pep.
One of the most dominant defenders of our lifetime. #KeepPounding
pic.twitter.com/GObe6okPY6— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) February 9, 2024
Congrats to @juliuspeppers_ for the 1st ballot HOF!!! Now….lets get Smitty in!!! Super proud of Pep!!
— Lauri Stewart (@LauriStewa926) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers 🐐
— Leonardo Collazo (@leocollazo43) February 9, 2024
Congratulations to Julius Peppers on being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame!
Absolute legend 😤 pic.twitter.com/AK6PkkUcYK
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) February 9, 2024
Congratulations to #Panthers Legend Julius Peppers on being selected to the NFL Hall of Fame! 🌶️ #KeepPounding
📸 @kevinketchie pic.twitter.com/XKQAfebYWr
— Roaring Riot (@roaringriot) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers:
-Only player in NFL history with 100-plus sacks and 10 interceptions
-Fourth all-time in sacks, 2nd in forced fumbles
-Only player to appear in a Final Four and a Super Bowl … and now the Hall of Fame— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 9, 2024
Legendary Status immortalized!!
Julius Peppers is in Football Heaven! https://t.co/y2OibmI2vp
— Panthers Culture 🥷🏽 (@PanthersCulture) February 9, 2024
Julius Peppers was one of them ones
— JOE (@NewJetJoe_12) February 9, 2024
Congrats to North Carolina's own Julius Peppers on becoming a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer!
Sacks: 159.5 (4th in NFL History)
Only player with 150+ sacks / 10+ Ints
2000/2010 All-Decade Team
9 Pro Bowls
51 forced fumbles
13 blocked kicks pic.twitter.com/BNLQU2cRap— CLTure® ( culture ) (@CLTure) February 9, 2024
Congrats Julius Peppers on the HOF! Loved watching him for the short time we had him.
— Go Pack Go 10-8 (@PackIsBakh) February 9, 2024
Watching Julius Peppers highlights remembering when we were a proper football team
— ozzfactor (@uphidian) February 9, 2024