LAS VEGAS – Julius Peppers is in. Antonio Gates must wait.
It's no surprise that Peppers, the former defensive end who ranks fourth on the NFL's all-time list with 159 ½ sacks earned selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot. Peppers, who starred for the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears during a 17-year NFL career, has the rare distinction of being chosen to an All-Decade Team for two decades.
He headlines a 2024 class that includes Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis and Dwight Freeney as modern-day candidates.