Carolina Panthers Polish Ring of Honor with New Names
There will some new names added to the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor this season. On Monday, the organization announced it would adding two of their most iconic players to the list.
Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and defensive end Julius Peppers will be inducted into the team's top rank of recognition at halftime of the team’s game against the Houston Texans on October 29 at Bank of America Stadium - a message announced by Panthers owner David Tepper. “This is another homecoming, a permanent one,” Tepper said.
“Not only did Muhsin and Julius set high standards on the field, they also were selected as Panthers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year team winners. Having gotten to know both these fine men, I have no doubt that they deserve to join the distinguished group of Panthers in the Hall of Honor.”
Muhammad garnered Pro Bowl honors during his rookie season, 1999, and then again in 2004, the season that preceded a three-year stint with the Chicago Bears. Muhammad would later return to Carolina from 2008-2009. - 2004 was also the year he achieved AP All-Pro First Team.
His resume is packed with accolades including the 2000 season here he led the NFC and tied for NFL lead with 102 receptions, becoming the first player to lead NFC in receptions in consecutive seasons since Sterling Sharpe in 1992 and 1993.
Affectionately dubbed, "Moose", Muhammad set Super Bowl a record for the longest catch with an 85-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVIII against New England.
But true to the character that many Carolina Panthers have come to be know for, Muhammad was named Panthers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee in 1999 and 2008.
Muhsin Muhammad Panthers Team History Ranks
696 Receptions – 2nd
9,255 Receiving Yards – 2nd
50 Receiving Touchdowns – 2nd
27 100-Yard Receiving Games – 2nd
Julius Peppers list of achievements extends almost as long as the walk of stars in Hollywood.
Being named to the NFL All-Decade Team – 2000s, 2010s is the capstone of an amazing career that helped grow the love for the team throughought the league. Peppers was a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee and a three-time AP All-Pro First Team nominee.
In one of the most highly measured categories for a defensive player, Peppers ranks among such names as Bruce Smith (200), the late Reggie White (198) and former Carolina Panther Kevin Greene (160) who passed away in 2020. Peppers' 159.5 sacks is fourth in NFL history, a category where he finished in the top 10 six times – 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012.
His seasons of double-digit sacks were all part of the gritty style of football Peppers played to earn 51 forced fumbles - ranked second in NFL history.
Similary, Peppers shares the unique quality of being a high-character representative of the Carolina Panthers locker rooms over the years and was the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee in 2018.
Julius Peppers Panthers Team History Ranks
5 Pro Bowls – 2nd (Tied)
97 Sacks – 1st
23 Multi-Sack Games – 1st
583 Tackles – Most by a defensive lineman
34 Forced Fumbles – 1st
10 Opponent Fumble Recoveries – 3rd
9 Blocked Field Goals – 1st
To date, only seven former players have had their names added to the Hall of Honor including, perhaps, the team's most inspirational player - Sam Mills. The new additions will certainly be a welcomed breath of confidence as the team heads into the 2023 season led by Frank Reich.
