After 17 seasons, Julius Peppers has finally decided to call it a career. His legacy in the NFL is fairly clear as one of the all-time great pass rushers. He reached nine Pro Bowls while collecting 159.5 sacks. A true freak of nature from an athletic perspective. It would be a genuine shock if he’s not in the Hall of Fame within the 5-6 years.
What some people will wonder is what his legacy will be. Anybody who is curious, his primary team of representation in Canton is almost certain to be the Carolina Panthers. That’s the team that drafted him and he spent the most time of his career with. That said, his run with the Chicago Bears, while unfortunately brief, didn’t lack for memorable moments.
He had 37.5 sacks with the Bears in four seasons and was part of one of the better defenses the franchise has ever put together from 2010 to 2012. They came close to reaching a Super Bowl and provided a laundry list of big plays. Here are the five that stick out the most from Peppers himself.
17 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl appearance. With a career that speaks for itself, @juliuspeppers_ says goodbye in his own words. https://t.co/DHm8D9nR3r
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) February 1, 2019
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#5: Fumble return vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers (2013)
Some guys have to work really hard to make big plays in the NFL. Others can do it almost casually like it’s a stroll in the park. Peppers is one of those rare types. Even when he’s not part of the initial play, he had that knack for taking advantage in an instant when he became part of it as this play showed.
Trying to protect their lead in Pittsburgh which had dwindled in the second half, the Bears defense stepped up big again. Lance Briggs forced a fumble of Ben Roethlisberger. The ball popped into the air and despite having his left arm held by the blocker, Peppers caught it with the other arm and then raced to the end zone for the game-clinching touchdown.
#4: Revenge interception vs. the Carolina Panthers (2010)
The Bears’ win over the Panthers wasn’t the prettiest in team history. The game itself was ugly, especially from a quarterback perspective. On one side was Todd Collins in place of the injured Jay Cutler. On the other was Jimmy Clausen, an overwhelmed rookie. Chicago won handily 23-6, but it wasn’t all that fun to watch.
One guy who did have fun though was Peppers. Facing his former team for the first time, the defensive end made sure to remind Carolina what they let get away with a crazy tipped interception in which he deflected a pass, turned 180 degree and somehow caught it while falling to the ground.
#3: Tipped interception vs. the Green Bay Packers (2013)
Peppers didn’t get to enjoy many wins against the Packers during his time in Chicago, so there’s no question he relished what turned out to be his last one in 2013. After teammate Shea McClellin knocked Aaron Rodgers out of the game with a collarbone injury, the Bears saw their opening to go for a rare victory at Lambeau Field.
As one of the leaders on defense, Peppers took it upon himself to seize the moment. He did so by both tipping a pass by backup Seneca Wallace and then intercepting it in the same sequence. Reminding everybody again just how crazy athletic he was for his size.
#2: First sack vs. the Detroit Lions (2010)
They say first impressions are always important. It seems Peppers took that to heart as he didn’t waste time having not just a profound impact in his first game, but a farreaching one on the Bears’ season in 2010. The Bears got off to a difficult start on opening day against the Detroit Lions, falling behind 14-0.
Soon though they battled back to make it 14-10 before halftime. Then with just 29 seconds left, Peppers changed the outlook of the game and the season when he crushed Matthew Stafford for his first sack as a Bear. Not only did it end the Lions scoring threat, but it knocked Stafford out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
#1: The clothesline of Calvin Johnson vs. the Detroit Lions (2011)
People need to understand something. Calvin Johnson was arguably the most physically imposing wide receiver in NFL history. Not only did he boast a 6’5 frame with stacked muscle, but he was also a freak athlete with speed. Almost nobody could make that man feel like a ragdoll in the mouth of a ravenous dog. Except for Peppers.
The moment the 6’7 defensive end came face to face with Megatron, it wasn’t even a contest. Peppers clotheslined Johnson to the ground with alarming ease, knocking the ball out and allowing Brian Urlacher to recover, setting the Bears up for easy points in what would be a 37-13 blasting of the Lions.
