Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Julius Peppers: Steve Smith should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hopefully, former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will soon join fellow franchise legend Julius Peppers in Canton. But it’s Peppers who believes that he should be the one having to join Smith Sr.

This past weekend was certainly a memorable one for Peppers, who was just named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his very first year of eligibility. The NFL’s fourth leading sack artist of all-time also made time to appear at Allegiant Stadium for Super Bowl LVIII, where he ran into his old teammate on the sideline.

And while catching up on the congratulatory messages he’s received in the past few days, Peppers made sure to catch us up on his thoughts about Smitty’s Hall of Fame candidacy . . .

Smith Sr., a semifinalist in each of his three bids, has been eligible since 2021. But he has yet to advance into the finalist group.

If you ask Peppers, that’s no place for his pal—who is eighth all-time in receiving yards and 12th in receptions. And if you ask us, he’s right.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.