He just might be the greatest athlete in the history of Southern Nash High school. Julius Peppers is returning to the Carolina Panthers seven year after he left over money. There is no doubt the greatest sacker in the history of the Carolina Panthers 81 left the home state organization because of money. Money is the down fall of the world. The Panthers offered 54 Million for four years Peppers wanted 60. Neither side budged so Peppers parted company, parted town and parted his home state. A few years in Chicago and a few in Green Bay Julius Peppers come back home to finish out his career where it all started.
Just to remind you even as a freshman for the Firebirds he stood 6 feet five inches. His four years as a running back Peppers produced 3,501 yard rushing scoring 46 touchdowns. He made all conference is basketball all four years in high school. He even won a 4x400 relay in the state championships of track and field the first state championship ever for the Firebirds. He was a Parade High school All American. He was named the NCHSAA Male athlete of the year in 1998. Need any more proof of how gifted Julius Peppers was and still is.
Off to Carolina where in 1999 he led the nation in sacks (15). Won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top Defensive player in the country. He took home the Lombardi Award Best lineman in the country and Bill Willis Award as best defensive lineman in the country. He walked on the Carolina basketball team his first two years and was on the Tar Heel team that went to the final four and scored 21 in an NCAA game.
Drafted by the home state team who's owner happens to be from Spring Hope, Peppers first seven years were a dream come true for the Nash Country native son. During his seven years as a Panther he recorded 81 sacks the Panthers all time leader. Won the NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2002. How good was his seven years in Charlotte. He made the NFL all decade team in 2010.
The numbers kept piling up at Chicago and Green Bay as his sack total has climbed to 143.5 fifth all time in NFL history seven sacks short of fourth while that can be obtained this season. His role with the Panther more than likely will be a third down pass rusher.
When you look back at Julius Peppers football career there are those who say he took time off while on the field and didn't give everything he had on every play. There are players who play whatever sport they play that make the game look easy. To us that watch it seems so simply to hit a slow curveball that takes forever to get to the plate, but until you are that person being blocked by a three hundred pounder that you are lined up with we have no idea what it takes to make one sack.
One year, two years who knows how much Julius Peppers still has in his tank at 37 years old. I'm glad he's back home because five years after the end of his NFL career Julius Pepper will be in the NFL Hall Of Fame. He will go in as a Carolina Panther, A Southern Nash Firebird and a Nash County Hero.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
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