Julius Peppers nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year
Julius Peppers nominated as candidate for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
The Carolina Panthers join every team across the NFL in nominating one member of their roster to be considered for the annual Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Given each year to a player who is recognized for both their on the field contributions and work in local communities, the competition is always extremely close. Julius Peppers has been selected this season to represent the Panthers.
Peppers, a captain and original Panthers member, returned back to Carolina prior to last season. Originally leaving eight seasons after being the team’s first-round (No. 2 overall) draft pick in 2002, Peppers spent time with both Green Bay and Chicago prior to his return. At 38 years of age, the former University of North Carolina standout has shown little sign of slowing down any time soon.
Teammate Greg Olsen has been the team’s nominee for the past two seasons and advanced to be a finalist but each season fell short of bringing home the hardware. Award rules prohibit Carolina from nominating him a third consecutive time, opening the door for Peppers to be nominated.
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Peppers on the field performance goes without question. He’s a guaranteed future Hall of Fame member with 158 and one-half sacks throughout his career. Good for fourth all time, the Panthers defensive end is just one and one-half behind former Carolina linebacker/defensive lineman Kevin Greene.
Off the field, Peppers has always been involved in charity work but this season he started the Julius Peppers Hurricane Florence Relief Fund. Donating $100,000 of his own money, he partnered with the Foundation for the Carolinas after eastern North Carolina was devastated by Florence this past September.
Peppers has also taken part in distributing relief aids to those families impacted from the storm, getting a first hand look at the damage and meeting some of the people in those areas. Being from eastern North Carolina himself, the connection was immediate.
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Nominees will be narrowed down to three finalist with the award being presented at the NFL Honors ceremony on the eve of the Super Bowl this season.