South Charlotte Today

CANTON, Ohio — When Julius Peppers is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in two weeks, the man standing next to him isn't exactly family. Except he is.

The man who'll be by his side when he receives football's highest honor was originally tasked with helping him get on the field to begin with, and they weren't sure how it was going to work.

And even though he'll be there when Peppers hears his name called as one of the greatest to ever play the game, his job is often to tell Peppers what he doesn't want to hear. Or at least to try.

Over the years, Carl Carey has become something more than an advisor to Julius Peppers. Much more.

"It means a lot to have him here, have him a part of this," Peppers said of the man who will present him for enshrinement on August 3. "He's more than an agent, more than a friend. He's like family to us. My family is his family; his family is mine."

"So, I think in this business and just in life in general, you need to have people like him in your corner who are going to look out for you no matter what. And he's that guy."

To see them now is to realize how close they've become, alongside each other every step of the journey. But to understand the depths of their relationship, you have to realize Peppers wasn't looking for it at all.

Peppers and Carey met in the fall of 1998 when a freshman football recruit at the University of North Carolina was struggling to adapt to life away from home. That's when UNC assistant football coach Donnie Thompson sent a recently hired academic advisor in to help the big kid from Bailey as he adapted to a much bigger world.

Thompson had promised Peppers' mother Bessie Brinkley that her son would have the kind of support he needed. But on that day, neither Peppers nor Carey realized what that would turn into.

Thompson came and got Carey on his first day on the job, introducing a just-turned 28-year-old to an almost 19-year-old and his family, and both their lives began to change.

"His mother was dropping him off. And the coach marches me over to the other side of the field and says, I need you to meet some people," Carey recalled of his first encounter. "So I walk in, and there's Julius and his mother, and the coach tells his mother, he said I told you I had somebody for him right now."

"Mind you, this is my first day on the job. So I'm not really understanding what's really going on or just how they do it. So in his commanding voice, he's just like I told you I had somebody for him, and his mother shook her head and said 'Yes, you did.' And so he introduced us; Julius was sitting there; he just kind of leaned back and kind of rocked and laughed like 'Who is this guy?'"

In short, Carey was there to mentor and shepherd one of the top prospects in the country remain eligible. It was important for Peppers' mother that he was there. It may have been less important for Peppers himself at that time.

"It was a little rocky at first because I wasn't trying to hear any of those things," Peppers said with a laugh. "And he was assigned specifically to make sure I did those things. So we kind of butted heads a little bit at first."

The two can laugh about it now. Peppers has kids of his own—one in particular takes him back to that afternoon in 1998.

"I don't know if it's documented," Peppers said."But I was somewhat of a—not a troublemaker—but I was young; I liked doing things my way; there wasn't much people could tell me differently like most young kids."

"I'm going through it right now; I've got a 16-year-old daughter," continued Peppers."So I'm reliving that whole youthful thing where you know it all; nobody can tell you anything."

As noted over time: it takes Peppers moments warming up towards others being quiet by nature—not an oversharer—so meeting Carey didn't indicate knowing how their relationship would develop initially.

Aside from nearly decade difference between ages were significant differences: Where massive-Peppers slight-Carey few words-many academics might not been priority then literally Carey's job overcoming initial stuff barriers presented dynamics:

"So here's thing: Julius well-noted very quiet guy right? I'm super long-winded talking right?" Carey laughed."Imagine those dynamics doing lots talking without response initially didn’t necessarily know making sense later seeing certain actions changed according something said realizing wait minute listening trusting became clear trusting saying responsibility giving advice needed ensuring point nobody taking bad advice serious matter.”

Over time relationship conversations grew beyond assignments classes:

"Like started trusting kept consistent supposed friendship developed lasting test time," remarked succinctly differing conversational styles getting phone challenge getting off difficult attention detail evident spring making arrangements reviewing contracts slow-start trust complete offering advice turns throughout Chapel Hill conversations weren’t football often took realization professional future possible until Thompson news contemplating leaving sophomore leading country sacks coaches projecting potential top-five pick realizing academic advising wasn’t familiar landscape NFL Draft:

"I didn’t know very much focus financial differences between top-first round middle end helped understand,” stated discussing future again gradual trust-building no guarantee registering finally deciding staying year influencing decisions drafting Panthers concluding paths parted remaining conversations deepening becoming friends outside original descriptions Demoff importance trust certified NFLPA agent handling contractual affairs formality previous work substantial contributing decision-making complicated decisions leaving Panthers personal journey guiding providing information ultimately decision-making conservative financial advising investment discussions:

Carey laughingly recalling instance ignoring early career private jet South America offseason rest relaxation expensive trip significant cost contrasting usual advice following indicating advisory roles formalizing preparing Hall Fame deals merchandise marketing client-advisor relationship narrowing age-gap growing closer mutually beneficial listening insightfulness appreciation evolving relationships previously academic fraternal practically brothers godfathers children witnessing emotional stoic moments supporting dark days meaningful induction football immortality alongside providing transparent journey special knowing background efforts significance concluding fewer words describing foundational growth bonds mutual trust partnership essential ongoing success continuation lifelong journey shared experiences standing beside during Hall Fame induction illustrating unwavering supportive presence throughout years symbolizing enduring bond pivotal roles shaping remarkable career achievements exemplifying dedication loyalty extending beyond professional realms solidifying lasting impact transformative relationship impacting both lives positively.