It was honestly a foregone conclusion.
On Thursday night, as the NFL crowned its marquee names with their awards, Julius Peppers earned his.
For the rest of eternity, the man who helped the Panthers change the direction of the franchise will be known as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Peppers was announced as part of the seven-member Class of 2024 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, in August.
There is no one more deserving.
He becomes the second Panthers player to be enshrined in the halls of NFL greatness. The first was linebacker Sam Mills in 2022.
With Peppers comes Patrick Willis, Andre Johnson, Devin Hester, and Dwight Freeney, all modern-era players enshrined in the Hall of Fame. They are coming with Steve McMichael and Randy Gradishar representing the senior guard.
Peppers, in his coronation, became the 90th player ever to be enshrined in his first year of eligibility.
But his stats speak for themselves. For example, 159.5 sacks (fourth all-time), 11 interceptions (second-most of a defensive lineman), 52 forced fumbles, the list could continue.
Peppers was always going to be a Hall of Famer. The question was a matter of when it would come. That moment came Thursday night, and there is no one more deserving of the NFL's highest honor.
More must-reads: