Remembering Julius Peppers Biggest Moments with the Green Bay Packers

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Julius Peppers will be part of the class of 2024. Peppers earned this honor in his first year of eligibility. He was named to nine Pro Bowls in his career and earned All Pro honors three times. While Peppers will be best remembered for his time with the Carolina Panthers, here’s a look back at three of his best performances during his three seasons with the Packers. They are listed in chronological order.

Julius Peppers Biggest Moments with the Packers Number One: 2014 Week 5 vs Minnesota

Peppers enjoyed his first big moment with the Packers when he intercepted Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. That put the Packers head 21-0 midway through the second quarter in a game they eventually won 42-10.

Rookie defensive lineman Luther Robinson tipped the pass and the ball deflected to Peppers who ran untouched into the end zone.

“It was just one of those plays. I was just fortunate to be in the right spot to get the interception,” Peppers said. “I barely had enough gas to get it in the end zone, but I got in there.”

He nearly forgot to do the Lambeau Leap, but Morgan Burnett reminded him to jump into the stands.

Peppers finished the game with an interception, half a sack, a deflected pass and three total tackles.

Defensive lineman Mike Daniels said he was, “Highly impressed,” by Peppers play. “But I wasn’t surprised at all because he’s been running around like that all offseason, all camp, all practice. He’s just one of the great ones.”

“Pepps, he’s just a sensational athlete,” added linebacker Clay Matthews said. “He continues to surprise us each and every day he’s out here, every facet of his game. I’m glad it’s showing. I’m glad the media can see what he’s able to do week in and week out.”

Second Moment: 2014 Week 11 vs Philadelphia

The Packers scored five touchdowns of 25 yards or more in a 53-20 romp over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field. Peppers intercepted Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez in the third quarter and ran it back 52 yards for a touchdown. That score put the Pack ahead 39-6.

With the pick six, Peppers became the first player in NFL history to record 100 sacks and return four interceptions for touchdowns in his career.

Clay Matthews, who had moved to inside linebacker, ribbed Peppers after the game. “It’s good to see that,” he said with a big grin on his face when asked about the interception. “He pretty much got a gift.”

In addition to Peppers pick six, the long touchdowns included a 75-yard punt return by Micah Hyde, a 27-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson, a 32-yard touchdown run by Eddie Lacy and a 49-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by Casey Hayward.

Julius Peppers Biggest Moments with the Packers Number Three: 2015 Week 15 vs Oakland

While Peppers scored two touchdowns for the Packers in 2014, his best overall season with the team was 2015. He recorded 10.5 sacks and earned Pro Bowl honors for the ninth and final time in his career.

His most dominant game that year came in Week 15 against the Raiders when he sacked Oakland quarterback Derek Carr 2.5 times in the Packers 30-20 win in Oakland. The sacks moved Peppers into 10^th place in the NFL’s all-time career sack list with 135 (although sacks were only an official stat in the NFL since 1982).

“Obviously, I hear about it,” Peppers told reports when he was told about his new spot in the all-time rankings. “Things get passed around in media and through various channels. So, I know where I stand, but when I’m on the field, I don’t think about that stuff. One day, it will be time for reflection and maybe at the end of the season, I can look back and take some satisfaction in that.”

Peppers’ biggest sack came midway through the fourth quarter with the Packers clinging to a 27-20 lead. The sack forced a Raiders punt, and the Packers kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive to put the game away.

Peppers also made four tackles including two tackles for loss and recorded three quarterback hits. He was in on Carr all game.

Throughout his three years with the Packers, Peppers remained an impact player. He has earned his spot in the hallowed halls of Canton, Ohio.