The North Carolina Museum of History announces the unveiling of Julius Peppers’ 2003 National Football Conference (NFC) Championship ring. It will be displayed in the museum’s lobby starting Tuesday, April 23. The display offers an unparalleled opportunity for fans and enthusiasts to witness this piece of sports history.
Peppers was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. In his acceptance speech, Peppers shared his excitement of being inducted. “When I think about my sports career in the state, it’s not so much that I think about what I did; it’s about the people who were around me, who guided me, who inspired me and who supported me … it’s about the people in the moments that shaped what became.”
Peppers captivated fans with his athleticism and skill on the football field. The unveiling of the display case highlights Peppers’ legacy and impact on the sport.
One of the most celebrated players in pro football history, Peppers was the second overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2002 NFL Draft. He finished his 17-year career with 719 tackles, including 159.5 sacks – the fourth best in NFL history. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he led the nation in sacks with 15 in 2000 and was a unanimous All-American in 2001. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and the Lombardi Award as the best collegiate lineman. Peppers was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this February.
For more about the museum, click the links above or visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.
About the N.C. Museum of History
The North Carolina Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, fosters a passion for North Carolina history. This museum collects and preserves artifacts of state history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and educational programs. Admission is free. In 2023, more than 355,000 people visited the museum to see some of the 150,000 artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Smithsonian Affiliations Network
Since 2006, the North Carolina Museum of History has been a Smithsonian Affiliate, part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational and arts organizations that share Smithsonian resources with the nation. The Smithsonian Affiliations network is a national outreach program that develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and other educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian resources. More information is available at affiliations.si.edu.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https:\\www.dncr.nc.gov.