It’s a big day for two of the NFL’s greatest players. Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates have been named as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both men have had illustrious careers in the NFL, and now they have a chance to join the pantheon of greats in Canton, Ohio.
Julius Peppers is a nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro selection. He was drafted second overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2002 and has since gone on to play for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers again. He is currently the all-time leader in sacks among active players with 159.5, and he is fourth all-time in sacks with 159.5. Peppers has also been named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.
Antonio Gates is an eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection. He was undrafted out of Kent State University but was signed by the San Diego Chargers in 2003. He has since gone on to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Gates is the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 116, and he is second all-time in receptions by a tight end with 955. He was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.
Both Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates have had incredible careers in the NFL, and now they have a chance to be immortalized in Canton, Ohio. It’s a great honor for both players, and it will be exciting to see if they can make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
