By Kacy Hintz, Sports Anchor

Canton, Ohio — Julius Peppers. A first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.

The former Southern Nash and North Carolina star was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, becoming member number 377, and the first player drafted by the Carolina Panthers to be enshrined.

“All right, let’s do this” Peppers said as he settled in for his speech.

A speech that lasted just about 15 minutes and was a message of gratitude.

“So many people have helped me get to this stage in my family and in my football life and I want to make sure all of you please know that I’m grateful,” Peppers said.

Selected by the Carolina Panthers as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, the Wilson native embarked on a 17-year pro career, accumulating three All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowl appearances. In addition to spending 10 years with the Panthers, he starred for the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers before retiring at the end of the 2018 season.

He thanked over two dozen people for helping him along that journey, starting with his mother, Bessie Brinkley.

“Sometimes all you need a mother’s love and support,” Peppers said. “And I’m very fortunate to have a mom that gave me that and so much more. For her, she instilled a great work ethic and discipline in me and also a willingness to sacrifice. Today, I officially become a member of the whole Football Hall of Fame, but she’s always been one of the greatest of all time at being a mom for so long. Thank you for everything and I love her.”

In an off-script moment, Peppers gave a heartwarming message to his idol. fellow UNC legend Michael Jordan, who was in attendance.

“I’m not going to sit up here and act like my idol and one of the reasons that I went to Chapel Hill is not in the building,” Peppers said. “The goat, His Airness, Michael Jordan. MJ, I want to thank you for the inspiration and the memories. Love you, big bro.”

Peppers concluded his storied career with 159.5 sacks, which ranks fourth most all-time since becoming an official statistic in 1982. He currently stands as the only player ever to record at least 150 sacks and 10 interceptions. He tallied the second-most forced fumbles (52) and the third-most tackles for loss (175) in NFL history. Other notable accomplishments include winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002.

His stats are powerful and did the talking for his legendary career. But it was the way Peppers closed his speech that showed he was more than a Hall of Fame football player.

“Everyone can’t play in an NFL game and everyone can’t have a bust in Canton, but everyone can be a Hall of Famer in your own life,” Peppers said. “You could be a Hall of Fame dad, a Hall of Fame student, teacher, spouse, coworker, friend, whatever it is, whatever it is that you do, do it with respect, integrity, passion, resilience, dedication and gratitude. That alone will make you a Hall of Fame person and you too can have a legacy that lives on forever too.”

“Thank you and God bless.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com