UNC Football: One step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Dec 24, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) on the sidelines in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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This UNC football legend is now one step closer towards earning his rightful place among the greats in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

This week, former UNC football legend Julius Peppers took another step closer towards earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The 173 Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 have been announced, as Peppers headlines a list of 9 players who earned spots as first-year eligible players.

Peppers is joined by Antonio Gates, Brandon Marshall, Jordy Nelson, Jamaal Charles; T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, Haloti Ngata as first-year elgibile players who could earn a spot in the Hall of Fame over the next few months.

A two-sport standout at the University of North Carolina, Peppers made his name on the gridiron, as his dominance for the UNC football program led him to be the No. 2 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He made his mark on the league immediately, putting together a 12-sack rookie season, a sign of things to come throughout his 17-year career.

Peppers finished his career with 159.5 sacks, the fourth most recorded since it became an official stat in 1982. He posted 10  seasons with double-digit sacks, trailing only Hall of Famers Bruce Smith and Reggie White.

The UNC football legend has a very strong case to be a first-ballot hall of famer, as we might not have to wait long to see him take his rightful place among the best to ever play the sport of football.

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