CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of the best players in the history of the Carolina Panthers is closer to being enshrined among football's greatest.
Julius Peppers was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024, the Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday. Peppers is one of 15 players to be named a finalist. Of the 15 finalists, up to five will be elected to the Class of 2024 in February.
For 17 seasons, Peppers was a force on the defensive side of the field. He made nine pro bowls and was selected to six all-pro teams. Peppers was chosen for both the Hall of Fame's All-2000s and All-2010s teams.
Peppers' 159.5 sacks rank him fourth on the all-time sacks list. He's also the only player in NFL history with at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions.
The first eight seasons of Peppers' career were spent with the Panthers. He was chosen second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft and immediately made an impact, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season.
Peppers is the franchise leader in sacks and tackles for loss. He helped the Panthers maintain a top-10 defense for five of the seasons he was with the team.
After successful stints with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, Peppers spent the final two seasons of his career back with the Panthers in 2017 and 2018.
Peppers grew up in eastern North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina.
Steve Smith Sr., the legendary Panthers receiver, was not included on Wednesday's finalist list. He was featured on the list of 25 finalists earlier this year but has been snubbed for a third straight year.
The other 14 finalists are:
- Reggie Wayne - WR
- Andre Johnson - WR
- Torry Holt - WR
- Devin Hester - KR/PR/WR
- Jared Allen - DE
- Willie Anderson - OL
- Rodney Harrison - CB
- Dwight Freeney - LB
- Patrick Willis - LB
- Darren Woodson - S
- Jahri Evans - OL
- Fred Taylor - RB
- Antonio Gates - TE
- Eric Allen - CB