The love for Carolina Panthers legend and soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers is continuing to spread. But on Tuesday, he began giving the love right back.
Former Panthers linebacker and ex-teammate Luke Kuechly was asked about big ol’ No. 90 on Monday’s post-Super Bowl LVIII episode of Up & Adams. And of all the unique qualities Peppers possesses, Kuechly admitted he was always enamored with one in particular.
“One thing that I think sets Pep apart from people is just, you watch him and love when Pep smiles,” he told host Kay Adams. “That big smile that he has, it’s just so fun to me. There was one thing that when I was gettin’ ready to play with Pep that I was excited about. You know Pep always had that dark visor and I always wanted to be there when Pep got a sack and he had that dark visor and the only thing you could see on him was that smile.”
In turn, Peppers hit Twitter this morning to show his respect for No. 59 . . .
Played 17 seasons and had a lot of great teammates but Luke is definitely one of my favorites. https://t.co/GayiOwujfl
— Pep (@juliuspeppers_) February 13, 2024
Kuechly, who shared a field with the Canton-bound pass rusher for 31 games, got a chance to see 16 of those smiles. Peppers played out the final two years of his immortalized career back in Carolina—where he posted 16.0 sacks, 28 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and, obviously, a bunch of pearly whites.
