Julius Peppers is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He was born on January 18, 1980, in Wilson, North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played college football for the Tar Heels.
Peppers was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played for the Panthers for eight seasons, from 2002 to 2009, and was named to the Pro Bowl five times during his tenure with the team. He was also named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002.
In 2010, Peppers signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent. He played for the Bears for four seasons, from 2010 to 2013, and was named to the Pro Bowl twice during his time with the team.
Peppers then signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2014, where he played for three seasons, from 2014 to 2016. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2015.
In 2017, Peppers returned to the Panthers for his final two seasons in the NFL. He announced his retirement from the league in February 2019.
Throughout his career, Peppers was known for his versatility and athleticism. He played both defensive end and outside linebacker, and was able to rush the passer, stop the run, and drop back into coverage. He was also known for his size and speed, standing at 6'7" and weighing 295 pounds.
Peppers finished his career with 159.5 sacks, which ranks fourth on the NFL's all-time list. He also recorded 11 interceptions, 52 forced fumbles, and 5 defensive touchdowns.
Peppers was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s, and was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history.
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