Anytime you see Panthers fans gather at a game or practice, you’ll see more than a handful of No. 90 jerseys in the stands.
For very good reason.
On Saturday, August 3, former Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers will be forever enshrined as one of the greatest to ever play the game of football.
The Carolina legend is set to become the first player drafted by the Panthers to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He took of the Black and Blue jersey for the final time in 2018 after a 17-year career, but to this day you’ll still find his No. 90 jersey in the stands at every practice and every game
“I would say he’s one of the greats, there’s honestly very few people you can say that about”, Panthers fan Tony Watts said. “There’s no comparison to Julius Peppers.”
One of the reasons “Pep” has remained a steadfast favorite among the fanbase is the fact that he’s a Carolina boy through-and-through.
He starred on both the gridiron and basketball court for the UNC Tar Heels, and then stayed home to become the first Panthers draftee to reach Canton.
“Just a local guy that made it big in the state,” Panthers fan Howard Shope said. “He always kept his bearings about who he was. He came back to the community, very involved in the community. It means a lot to our team, who we are.”
The Panthers boast four other players in the hall — Kevin Greene, Sam Mills, and Reggie White. However, all three of those players played the majority of their career with other teams.
With Peppers’ induction, Carolina fans feel a deeper sense of pride to see the team’s former No. 2 overall pick reach the highest peak in the game.
The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony begins at 12 p.m. on August 3 in Canton, Ohio.
