1. Julius Peppers played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL draft, and played for the Chicago Bears from 2010 through 2013 and the Green Bay Packers from 2014 to 2016.
Julius Peppers was named to the 2000s and NFL 2010s All-Decade Teams.
In 2024, Julius Peppers was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the first player drafted by the Carolina Panthers to be inducted.
Julius Peppers was born in Wilson, North Carolina, and raised in nearby Bailey.
Julius Peppers attended Bailey Elementary School, Southern Nash Middle School, and Southern Nash High School where he played football for Coach Ray Davis.
Julius Peppers lettered in basketball and was voted all-conference as a power forward for four consecutive years.
In 2005, Julius Peppers was named by the Rocky Mount Telegram newspaper as one of the 50 Greatest Athletes from the Twin County area.
Julius Peppers attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played defensive end for the Tar Heels from 1998 to 2001.
Julius Peppers led the nation with 15 quarterback sacks during his sophomore season, and earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and second-team All-American honors.
Julius Peppers won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player and the Lombardi Award as the best collegiate lineman and the Bill Willis Trophy as the nation's best defensive lineman.
Julius Peppers finished tenth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2001.
Julius Peppers is currently ranked second all-time in UNC history with 30.5 sacks.
Julius Peppers accumulated 53 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 167 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 13 passes deflected, and 42 quarterback pressures and returned two interceptions and one fumble recovery for touchdowns.
Julius Peppers was a highly regarded prospect coming into the 2002 NFL draft earning comparisons to Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor for his ability to dominate a football game.
Julius Peppers was selected in the first round with the second overall pick in the draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Julius Peppers finished his rookie season with 29 solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception, and five passes defensed.
Julius Peppers said that he was given a dietary supplement by a friend to help him fight off fatigue.
Julius Peppers said it was an honest mistake on his part and that he would be more cautious in the future.
Later in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys were trying to mount a comeback, Julius Peppers intercepted Dallas quarterback Quincy Carter and return it 34 yards to the Cowboys 11 yard line.
Julius Peppers recorded one tackle, one interception, and one pass defensed in the game.
The next week in the NFC Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles, Julius Peppers recorded two tackles in helping to lead a dominant defensive performance for the Panthers as they held the Eagles to just three points.
In Week 5 of the 2004 season, Julius Peppers intercepted quarterback Jake Plummer for a 97-yard return, which was an NFL record for a defensive lineman.
Julius Peppers recorded one pass defensed, one sack and four tackles including one stop in which he chased down Buccaneers running back Michael Pittman from behind on a 68-yard screen pass in the second quarter.
In Week 15 against the Atlanta Falcons, Julius Peppers caught a fumble in midair by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and raced 60 yards the other way for a Panthers touchdown.
Julius Peppers recorded three tackles, one being for a loss of yards, one pass defensed and the 60 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Julius Peppers set an NFL record by recording 143 total interception return yards which is the most ever recorded in a single season by a defensive lineman.
Julius Peppers had a combined 203 interception and fumble return yards which is the most ever by a defensive lineman in a single season since the NFL merger in 1970.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 52 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, four stuffs, one blocked kick, and two defensive touchdowns.
Julius Peppers was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November 2004 and finished fourth overall in the voting by the Associated Press for the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Julius Peppers played the next few games with a cast on his hand.
Julius Peppers recorded two three-sack games during the season, one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, in which addition to his three sacks, Julius Peppers recorded five tackles.
Julius Peppers contributed two tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed to the victory.
Julius Peppers went to the locker room after the play, and later returned to the bench but not the game.
Julius Peppers again recorded two three-sack games during the 2006 season, his first against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, in which he recorded eight tackles, three sacks, one stuff, one pass defensed, and one blocked kick.
In Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, Julius Peppers recorded five tackles, one being for a loss of yards, a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery on the same play, five quarterback hits, and a pass defensed.
Julius Peppers, playing left end, read the play before it began to develop, sprinted downfield and tipped the ball away from tight end Kellen Winslow II.
In Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, Julius Peppers became the Panthers' all-time sacks leader after registering two sacks during the game.
Julius Peppers was so dominant in the game that ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Joe Theismann compared him to Lawrence Taylor, whom Joe had played against while he was a quarterback for the Washington Redskins, and Taylor a linebacker for the New York Giants.
Julius Peppers earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Month Award for the month of October 2006, his second such award.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 49 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six passes defensed, seven stuffs, and two blocked kicks.
Julius Peppers had a down season in 2007 after only recording 30 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, five passes defensed, one stuff, and two blocked kicks.
Julius Peppers missed the final two games of the season with a sprained MCL in his right knee.
The 2008 season was a bounce back year for Julius Peppers after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks.
Julius Peppers changed from left defensive end to right defensive end before the season, which was the position he played in college at the University of North Carolina.
Julius Peppers earned his second NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award after his performance.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 40 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, five passes defensed, four stuffs, and one blocked kick.
Julius Peppers expressed the desire or willingness to convert from a defensive end to an outside linebacker.
Julius Peppers said he would request a trade if franchise tagged.
Beason would later admit that he was wrong about saying this about Peppers and said he thought that Julius would go down as one of the best players to ever play in the NFL.
In Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings, Julius Peppers played one of his best games of his career.
Julius Peppers had five quarterback hurries and was all over the field, causing sports writer Peter King to say that Julius Peppers looked like Lawrence Taylor and Deacon Jones rolled into one dominant force.
Julius Peppers played so well he caused Vikings Pro Bowl left tackle Bryant McKinnie to be benched by Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
Julius Peppers recorded three tackles, one interception, and one pass defensed.
The interception Julius Peppers recorded was, at the time, thought to be the final play of his Panthers career, but Julius Peppers eventually returned to his home state team before the 2017 NFL season.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 36 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, 10.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, five passes defensed, three stuffs, one blocked kick, and one defensive touchdown.
Julius Peppers was voted to his fifth Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All Pro honors.
On February 22,2010, Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers would not place the franchise tag on Julius Peppers, leaving him an unrestricted free agent, free to pursue a contract with another team.
Julius Peppers made an immediate impact in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions by sacking quarterback Matthew Stafford and forcing a fumble with 29 seconds to go in the first half.
The hit Julius Peppers put on Stafford knocked him out for the remainder of the game.
In Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, Julius Peppers recorded just two tackles, but was a thorn in the side of the Packers offensive line and Quarterback Aaron Rodgers all game long, forcing multiple false start and holding penalties, and hurrying Rodgers in the pocket all game long.
Julius Peppers finished the game with four tackles, one interception, and one pass defensed.
In Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins, Julius Peppers recorded his first three-sack performance as a member of the Chicago Bears, he finished the game with six tackles, three sacks, and one pass deflection that was intercepted.
Julius Peppers earned his fourth career NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award.
Julius Peppers won the NFC Defensive Player of the Month Award for November 2010 making it the third time in his career he earned the award.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 43 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, five stuffs, and one blocked kick.
Julius Peppers's impact was most felt with regards to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, redirecting running plays, or assisting on the tackle.
Julius Peppers was voted to his sixth Pro Bowl and was named to his third, First-Team All Pro team.
Julius Peppers finished fourth in voting for the NFL's 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, which was won by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
There's no question the return of Brian Urlacher at the pivot point of the defense has been a significant addition, but Julius Peppers has been the most important reason the Bears have become the Monsters of the Midway again, and that's why he's my defensive player of the year.
Julius Peppers was ranked tenth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.
Julius Peppers improved on his 2010 season in 2011 starting all 16 games and leading the Bears defense with 11 sacks despite facing constant double teams, and playing much of the season with a sprained MCL in his left knee that he injured in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions.
Julius Peppers recorded 33 solo tackles, four assisted tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four passes defensed, six stuffs, and two blocked kicks.
In Week 17 facing the Vikings, Julius Peppers was awarded a half-sack by the league, that he originally split with fellow Bears defensive lineman Matt Toeaina, giving him his 100th career sack making him the twenty eighth player in NFL history to achieve that milestone.
Julius Peppers was ranked 26th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.
Julius Peppers recovered a career-high four fumbles, which tied for second in the NFL.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 32 solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, two passes defensed, three stuffs, and one blocked kick.
Julius Peppers was named to the 2013 Pro Bowl, his fifth consecutive, and eighth of his career, and was selected to the NFL's 2012 All-Pro Second Team.
Julius Peppers received the Bears Brian Piccolo Award given annually to the player that best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Bears running back Brian Piccolo.
On March 11,2014, Julius Peppers was released by the Chicago Bears after attempts to trade him were unsuccessful.
Julius Peppers signed a three-year deal with the Green Bay Packers on March 15,2014.
In Week 3 of the 2014 season, Julius Peppers recorded his first sack as a Green Bay Packer and recorded his 40th career forced fumble and 15th career fumble recovery on the same play.
Julius Peppers became the first player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record at least a half-sack and an interception-return touchdown in three different games.
Julius Peppers recorded four tackles, two passes defensed, and a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on the same play against Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.
In Week 11, Julius Peppers recorded two tackles and his 11th career interception which he returned 52 yards for a touchdown, becoming the first player in NFL history to record at least 100 sacks and four interception-return touchdowns.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 29 solo tackles, 15 assisted tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and 11 passes defensed.
Julius Peppers ranked first among all linebackers and defensive linemen in the NFL with 101 interception return yards.
Julius Peppers was ranked 71st by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015.
Julius Peppers started the 2015 season off against the Chicago Bears.
In Week 15 against the Oakland Raiders, Julius Peppers recorded four tackles and 2.5 sacks which moved him past Lawrence Taylor into tenth place on the all-time NFL sacks list, giving him 135 career sacks.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 25 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 10.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Julius Peppers was selected to his ninth career Pro Bowl.
In Week 13, Julius Peppers sacked quarterback Brock Osweiler, moving into the top five on the NFL's all-time sack list with 142.5, passing Michael Strahan for fifth all-time.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 15 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and three passes defensed.
Julius Peppers ended another Giants drive on third down when he batted a pass that was nearly intercepted, and another on a later play by hitting Eli Manning just as he released the pass, causing an incompletion.
On March 10,2017, Julius Peppers signed a one-year contract to return to the Panthers.
Julius Peppers recorded four tackles, two sacks, three quarterback hits as he helped to disrupt Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the New England offense throughout the game, despite playing through a right shoulder injury of his own that he had in a brace.
In Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Julius Peppers recorded his 150th career sack, making him the fifth player in NFL history to achieve that milestone.
In Week 8 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Julius Peppers recorded his 151st sack, moving him past Chris Doleman for fourth most all-time.
Julius Peppers became only the third player in NFL history at age 37 or older to record at least 10 sacks in a season.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 21 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Julius Peppers helped the Panthers make the playoffs, and they faced off against the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.
Julius Peppers recorded two tackles in the game including a tackle for loss on third down with 2:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
On March 14,2018, Julius Peppers signed a one-year contract extension with the Panthers.
In week 6 against the Washington Redskins, Julius Peppers recorded a sack and a forced fumble which gave him 50 forced fumbles for his career.
Julius Peppers is only the second player in NFL history to record at least 50 forced fumbles, the first being Robert Mathis.
Julius Peppers finished the season with 14 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and six passes defensed.
Julius Peppers sacked 77 different quarterbacks, tied with Hall of Famer Reggie White for the most since sacks became official in 1982.
Julius Peppers recorded at least one sack against 30 of the NFL's 32 franchises.
Julius Peppers had 51 forced fumbles 21 fumble recoveries, 11 interceptions, 82 passes defensed, six defensive touchdowns scored,.
On May 8,2019, Julius Peppers was hired as a special assistant of business operations with the Carolina Panthers.
On February 8,2024, Julius Peppers was selected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility.
In February 2009, Julius Peppers donated $500,000 to a scholarship program that supports black students at his alma mater of North Carolina.
Julius Peppers's donation went to the Light on the Hill Society Scholarship, a tribute to UNC's earliest black graduates which helps alumni and friends support black freshmen who show the potential for academic excellence at UNC and after they graduate.