South Charlotte Today

CANTON, Ohio — Julius Peppers was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, becoming member number 377 and the first player drafted by the Carolina Panthers to be honored. Here is the text of his speech after he was presented by his longtime agent and mentor Carl Carey and his bust was unveiled.

"All right, let's do this. Thank you, thank you for that. Thank you for having me.

I want to start by thanking God for aligning the stars and allowing it to happen.

I want to thank everyone, all of you for being here to celebrate with these, the other enshrines and our families.

I want to thank Jim Porter and the whole Hall of Fame staff for making this a smooth and enjoyable process.

And I want to thank the other 377 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, all of these guys for making us feel welcome and paving the way.

I also want to congratulate my classmates. It's an honor to be a part of this class in 2024. All these guys were phenomenal players, they were phenomenal people and it's been a pleasure getting to know you guys a little bit better for these past couple of months.

I want to thank my family for coming up from North Carolina and a lot of other places and being here for this special night.

See, the old proverb that it takes a village to raise a child, that's especially true with us.

My mother was one of nine kids and my father was one of 11. So we have a large village and a lot of them are here tonight. So thank you all for being here again.

Speaking of my mom, her name is Bessie Brinkley. Since the day I was born, she was in my corner, not just for sports but in life. We didn't really grow up with a lot but whatever we needed she made sure we got it. And even though we didn't say the words a lot, I know that you love me. Sometimes all you need is a mother's love and support. 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.

My dad is here too. You know, his name is George Kurney. And even though when I was a kid our relationship was a little bit inconsistent, we got close since as we got older. So I'm happy that he's here tonight too and I love you too.

Now I was a baby in my family. I want to thank my sister Yolanda and my big brother Stephon. You were both positive influences, influences you need. And you set an example; even though you didn't say it much, I always knew you were proud of me.

You know it's not necessarily what you say to somebody; it's how you make them feel—and I always felt love and support—so I want to say thank you guys and I love y'all.

The man who did that video Carl Carey has been my copilot on this journey since I met him in 1998. I was an incoming freshman at UNC; he was my academic adviser and sort-of big brother. We met as friends; we became family. It's been Godsend us for the past 26 years.

I want to share some tree analogy that Tyler Perry said which best describes our friendship: Some people come into your lives for a season; their purpose is temporary; when wind blows they fall away like leaves right? Some people come as branches—they're stronger than leaves—but if put under pressure they break eventually then sometimes meet solid dependable people who hold up like stones those are roots Carl has been root person in life Carl both know wouldn't accomplish without being here so thanks everything brother hell ride still got more go

Another root person has high school coach Brian Foster He's somewhere too Foster would give rides home practice days mom couldn't make sometimes insight whether continue play sports One day after bad practice told two choices could complacent waste talent or work harder one day Hall Fame No between turns out right because I'm here Everything talked about came true Thanks guidance friendship foresight Guys family too Thanks y'all

Now retired people ask miss most game Well thing miss most camaraderie friendship relationships build work Well don't have work anymore My fiancée three kids become new locker room

My fiancée Claudia great mother great part star own right loving caring thoughtful When comes love manager house leads positivity She's partner best friend You're whole world Claudia looking forward many years memories Thanks Love

Our oldest daughter Keana just turned sixteen Beautiful smart hard face leaving soon Big heart beautiful soul Love kind Watching grow greatest rewards Honor dad Love

Our oldest son Elijah ten Baby boy Amare eight Little athletes play different sports like best friends Love backs look out While brothers disagreements never take personal within five minutes hug fine again Looking forward watching grow Whatever life proud always back Y'all already know

Now football let me just say this Many people helped get stage family football life Want make sure please grateful First think coach Mack Brown coach Donnie Thompson recruiting North Carolina making realize Chapel Hill needed be Thanks head coach Carl Torbush lost last year basketball coach Bill Guthridge great coaches men Ain't speech going say anyway talking Chapel Hill Know Pro Football Hall Fame ain't sit act idol reason went Chapel Hill building GOAT His Airness Michael Jordan MJ thanks inspiration memories thanks All right now back football Want thanks NFL coaches John Fox Lovie Smith Mike McCarthy Ron Rivera Thanks each men staffs taught valuable lessons beyond game appreciated most Thanks time energy sacrifices Thanks teammates Look played seventeen years Lot appreciate every single Just know reason worked hard Big part reason standing today Motivated inspired help each other Now Rod Marinelli defensive coordinator Chicago always said star team team That's tried play game All wanted job help team win earn respect Every teammate teams played Want thanks amazing ride pleasure sharing through Thanks Now sacks interceptions touchdowns see Sunday whole team behind scenes important success sometimes unnoticed Want shout out See strength conditioning coaches trainers people upstairs front office Marty Hurney football ops equipment managers PR department community relations support staff Thanks fans City fans Chicago Know didn't draft treated own appreciate Thanks Wisconsin Green Bay fans Go Pack Go Three best years life Panthers Nation Travel world place home So thanks having back since drafted showing love Fans passion loyalty enthusiasm own way showing support Reason game nothing without So thanks fans Want thanks Dave Nicole Tepper support friendship Nobody figured start believe guys Just know time coming Words great Sam Mills Keep Pounding Last least founder late Jerry Richardson If vision Panthers don't exist Brought NFL team home state gave platform chase dreams For Big Cat Now close what Hall Famer means Not touchdowns score Super Bowl rings nice Really comes down core heart Are resilient Stand tall face adversity things tough quit Acknowledge contributions success make all about Being crowning achievements extends far beyond Extends family daily life Everyone can't play NFL game can't bust Canton Everyone can Hall Famer own life Could dad student teacher spouse coworker friend Whatever respect integrity passion resilience dedication gratitude Alone legacy lives forever Thank God bless."