Hi guys:
I rarely do this, but today I'm posting a football fan's e-mail in full. Thought it was interesting. This is from Neal Mitchell of Greenville, S.C. He sent it to me the day after Carolina's loss to Chicago, but I'm just now getting around to posting it.
I know some of you will say, "Geez, let it go with Peppers already -- he came, he went, he won, it's over!" However, I thought Neal's reaction was worth seeing, and it's being posted late because of my tardiness, not his. Let me know what you think.
Neal writes....
Dear Julius:
I’ve been a fan of yours since your freshman year at UNC. You were/are an exceptional athlete and very exciting to watch. I enjoyed the years that you were with the Panthers and don’t think I would have it any other way. However, now, I have lost respect for you.
You want to know why the fans, including me, booed you unmercifully at Sunday’s game?You lied to us.
For 8 years, the fans stood and screamed at the top of our lungs when your name was called during pre-game announcements and you repaid us with qb sacks, forced fumbles and athletic interceptions that are certainly hall of fame worthy when all is said and done. Then you went and said the Panthers disrespected you? How exactly was that? By not offering you 101 mil over 7 years? Was 10 million not enough for you to have the adoration of thousands of Panther fans?
Don’t lie to us, we aren’t stupid. You didn’t want to play in Carolina anymore. If you had just manned up and admitted that you didn’t want to play here any longer, I would have said fine and continued to root for you wherever you went. But you didn’t... You expect this type of behavior from Randy Moss and Albert Haynesworth, but not from our Peppers.
Now, don’t get me wrong here. I respect and admire the sacrifices that you and all athletes make all for sake of entertaining the masses. I think that the top athletes deserve to get compensated in big numbers for these sacrifices. But don’t you think that the fans should be repaid with a little honesty and some type of respect? Put yourselves in our shoes for a minute. Most of us fans literally scrape together the money to buy season tickets to the Panthers, to the tune of $830 for one set of section 201 tickets. That may not be a lot of money to you, but it is to us.
When you turned down the offer to be the highest paid DL, that screamed to us you didn’t want to play here anymore. Why would a guy loved by so many turn down so much? Why have I spent so much of my money to see someone I’ve respected, disrespect my team? Why did I spend countless games screaming until I was horse for this guy? Athletes only thank the fans when they win the Super Bowl. Well, guess what? If it wasn’t for fans, you guys wouldn’t be getting those fat contracts.
Jordan Gross said Sunday, “You get booed by everybody that cheered you for eight years…you’re not going to take it.”
Well Julius, you deserved it for treating your fans the way you did. Tell the truth and you’ll gain one fan back.
Me.
Neal Mitchell
Greenville, SC
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
54 comments:
I don't think the booing of six panther fans bothered him much...especially since chair backs don't make noise (empty seats).
Neal, couldn't have said it better.
Let us not continue to beat a dead horse to death. Let By Gone Be Gone,Julius Peppers play for the Chicago Bears and all the booing and signs saying Judas Peppers only made him mad. WE need to concentrate on the players we have now and win our first game.
Scott,
I couldn't DISAGREE more with Neal's letter.
Neal, Peppers did say he wanted out of Carolina. He said it last year and the year before that. That's one of the reasons why he didn't take that contract offering him to be the highest paid player in 07; Peppers saw the writing on the wall with this franchise, this front office, and this coaching staff.
It looks like he made a wise decision; he's playing for a team that has a shot to win NOW and he's making more money than we could have paid him. The Panthers could have tagged him this year without a CAP hit but didn't; JR is going cheap and the Panthers are worse for it.
The Bears are 4-1 and heading to the playoffs (especially with the Packers and Vikings problems); the Panthers are 0-5 and heading for 0-forever.
Pro Football is a great game, but it also a crappy business. Average careers only last 3.4 years in the NFL. Players careers could be over in one play. My advice to the players, get all the money you can, because your football career could be over in one play. People who have never played this game on the Division 1 level don't really understand what a toll this sport has on one's body. They will always be just be fans.
Who would have ever thought that Julius Peppers was the smartest person in the Panthers organization? He saw the writing on the wall and left before the fall of Jerry's empire.
I feel sorry for Beason and Steve Smith, as they should have split as well.
Enjoy the next 5 years in the basement.
PSL= Permenant Sucker License.
SCPOAB:
I will agree that he did say that, but it wasn't until Feb of 2010 that he said he wanted out. He never said before then that he wanted out.
"Last year, at the time, that was the option that I wanted most," Peppers said. "Now it's not."
Awesome letter NEAL .... thank you for putting the words out there....your letter speaks the truth and I hope #90 will read it....
Great letter. Be careful when you call the very people who watch the games, buy the merchandise, season tix, etc....JUST FANS!!!
Most of the country did not play D. 1 football. For those that did, their was a scholarship of free education and sometimes a big pro sports payday. This was all made possible by JUST FANS. What more do fans have to do to make an athletes life better? Seems like JUST FANS do enough.
I have no problem with Peppers leaving for more money. However, when you don't say a word in 8 years here, then he talks out both sides of is mouth on a conference call just last week, has he let bygones be bygones? He is just as guilty as anyone else in beating a dead horse.
Hopefully we can turn this thing around. Looks like we are going to hit rock bottom first though. 1 and 15 may be optimistic I'm afraid. Not sure Peppers would have helped out much if at all.
If Scott and Darin would just be honest with the fans on the subject of Peppers, the confusion could be cleared up immediately.
1. Peppers hated playing for Trgovac and wanted to get out of here and play in a different scheme. He turned down very lucrative offers from the Panthers and made that clear.
2. He asked to not be franchised politely, didn't go to the press, and the Panthers franchised him anyway. Twice. The second time, he had his agent go public with his desire to get out. They franchised him again anyway.
3. Finally, Trgovac was let go and Meeks brought in. Peppers had a change of heart and wanted to be re-signed. The Panthers came back with offers that weren't as good as their previous ones. He rejected them and the Panthers never called back.
You tell me who screwed who here.
Neal stop wining! You chose to spend your time and money watching Peppers and the Panthers. You are 100% responsible for your own misery.
Find something you enjoy doing and go do it.
Look, it's pretty simple. Julius felt he'd gone as far as he could go here in this system, saw that the Panthers had peaked under the current regime of Fox, Delhomme & Hurney and wanted out. It happens. He essentially said so. Why the revisionist history? Surely you understand that some of the denials are simply part of what's required to mollify fans and teammates? ("I want to be here but need to explore my options..." etc.) But nobody should have been under any delusions about Julius' desire to leave. That obviously didn't include the team management.
The blame lies almost entirely with the Panther organization that should have been actively trying to trade him for the best deal they could get from as early as he began talking about wanting out. They thought they could convince him to stay. Richardson talked to him. None of it was going to matter, and the smart money knew that all along.
To blame Peppers is pretty juvenile and presents a naive misunderstanding about how the sports business - or any business - works.
Oh boo hoo! Peppers was more than willing to stay. They tried to get a deal done last year but the panthers low balled him. He was willing to continue negotations before this season but it was the panthers who decided not to re-sign him. You guys are directing your anger at the wrong man! Its that greedy jackass Jerry Richardson you should be writing angry letters to
Panthers fans are hilarious... Why would he want to stay and play for a crappy organization that is blatantly tanking because the ownder doesn't want to spend? He owes nothing to the Panthers. It isn't like he was drafted in the 7th round and given his only shot here. He would have been successful anywhere he went. As someone already stated the average career of a football player is a little over 3 years - so can you really blame someone for getting the most money while he can? Neal you are just a bitter, bitter panthers fan... but hey if I was a fan of the worst team in football, I probably would be too!
Sounds like this dude had a serious man crush!!! Get over it you sissy!!! Geez This letter is emabarrassing
Neal,
I would love to bash you over your comments, but I've lost interest after reading your aweful "letter" to Peppers.
I would, however, offer you a tissue so you could blot your obvious runny eyes...
Peppers played hard every down - that's why you lost your voice screaming at him during pre-game intros - b/c you loved him - while the rest of the fans were tailgating and walking into the stadium... b/c we just came to see an NFL game, not try and be his best friend. I'm pretty sure he never heard you...
I'll be laughing at you when he's named to the Pro Bowl...
Get over it.
Peppers played hard on every down-- what?! Really? Please show me when and where Peppers played hard on every down. Good riddance, I say. I don't care where he's playing, just so long as he's not stealing money from the Panthers anymore! I'm glad Richardson low-balled his under-performing ass.
Thanks for having the guts to write a letter, Neal.
fans at BofA booed peppers because they are a bunch of fair weather, happy times, sunshine and rainbows people who love to hate anything that's not 100% peachy. It's just a business, he's just a person, get over it.
Let's be clear here. Peppers was only franchised once. 10:15 should do a little more research before defending him. A large press conference was called and his quote was "If they decide to use the tag on me, the first thing that I'll be doing is requesting a trade." It was not until he knew he needed the Panthers to run up his price that he said he was willing to return.
It is just a business and I get that. I was at the game this past Sunday. I didn't boo him. And I didn't cheer him. But I did lose respect with his petty and childish on-field antics.
Anonymous said...
" I don't think the booing of six panther fans bothered him much...especially since chair backs don't make noise (empty seats)."
Were you at the game? It was a sellout. The first game to sell out this year.
Peppers was the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. Can you ask, or expect, any more than that from a draft pick? Stat-wise, this guy who "took plays off" and "stole from the Panthers" is the best football player to ever wear a Panthers uniform. You crybabies need to grow up - he doesn't owe Panther fans anything.
I agree with the letter. Peppers did turn this whole situation around to make it sound as if the Panthers were to blame for him leaving when it wasn't. However, he is just like all of the other OVERPAID players. They want to be "respected" and "do what is best for my family". How about respect for all of the unemployed that are wondering how they are going to buy groceries, or keep the power bill paid? How about the average worker that would love to take their kid to see a game live and in person, but can't because player salaries have driven the cost of tickets too high to afford? I could go on.
Losing players in free agency, like Peppers, and having a poor team for several years is all a part of the NFL. Panther fans will just have to accept it and live with it. One day we will be back in contention.
Eric / Cat Crave,
Maybe you should re-read the post above yours...
You clearly must not be able to understand it...
This is amazing.... obviously not all football fans understand free agency. It happens all over the place - players leave if they desire to and can. I always get a kick out of how we are so hurt and feel jilted after losing a free agent, but excited when we sign one from another team. Maybe not recently, but we've done this before. It is the reality of Free Agency.
That was a funny letter and the comments that followed are even funnier. I could understand that letter if it was written by an 8 year old. They see the world differently than the grown ups. It's time for the adults to understand that no professional athlete cares about you. Want to hear a secret? The college players don't care either. They want money. Cash. Dollars. And they will go to any team that will pay them the most. Does that hurt your feelings? Boo hoo. Root for the team, root for the uniform, but don't worry about the player. They don't care about you. The minute they get a shot to make more cash, they take it. Deal with it and grow up.
PEPPERS PROLLY HAS MORE CARRER INTERCEPTIONS THAN SAY RICHARD MARSHALL, HE IS THE BEST DE IVE SEEN SINCE STRAHAN. OR REGGIE WHITE. I DONT THINK HE TAKES PLAYS OFF, EVERY PLAY IS NOT A PASS PLAY. I THINK HE ISNT ABLE TO GET A SACK ON EVERY PLAY. THAT SIMPLE. HE PLAYS THE LANE, AS WELL AS HE RUSHES THE QB. VERY SMART PLAYER. THINK ABOUT THE GAME AGAINST TAMPABAY. WHEN THE D-LINE CHASED BUT COULDNT BRING DOWN THE QB... ITS ALL ABOUT ANGLES. DO U THINK PEP WOULD HAVE LOOK SO SILLY? NO. PEP WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE GAME. BECOUSE HE IS A GAME CHANGER WHO DESERVES THE MONEY HE GOT.
This is al George W Bush's fault
Maybe if your garbage panthers could win a game you could focus on something else other than the Peppers jersey above your bed. Athletes dont care about you and santa is not real. Wipe up those tears and be a man you baby.
Neal you must be a switch hitter! Geez this is embarrasing! Please take this letter down now!!!!!
Its unfortunate that Neal wasted his time writing this. Julius Peppers will never see this letter since he can't read.
Just so you know... The Panthers did not offer Peppers a contract at all at the end of last season!!!! Peppers was open to staying after the coaching changes on def but the Panthers didn't even pick up the phone and make an offer. The Panthers made the decision to let him walk and he walked into a better situation with Chicago. BLAME JERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of you awesome sportswriters for the Observer should ask Hurney:
"Did you make Pepper an offer at the end of last season, at any time before he was picked up in free agency by Chicago?" Very simple question! Yes or No? Fans really want to know!!!!! I'll bet you won't get a direct answer...
Peppers left because what every player wants is to win the Super Bowl. There will be snowballs in that hot place before the Panthers get there.
As long as 75% of the plays called involve handing the ball to a running back and sending him into the center of the line like a battering ram the Bowl is just a distant dream.
It takes a long time to get into field goal range (the only way the Panthers can score) 3 yards at a time.
This email is hogwash from a disgruntled fan. You could tell the guy is not even use to the business end of the NFL. I respect Peppers and actually don't blame him for wanting to leave charlotte. lol, I got sick and tired of all the crime and city leaders that welcomed criminals with open arms
I have to wonder if the author of that pathetic statement crudely disguised as a letter would turn down a better financial arrangement if it was offered to them.
I am a lifetime resident of this area.
I was born here and have seem LOTS of changes in sports, business, and in-general lifestyle.
Come on Charlotte.
The Panther's are bad- really bad and would be perhaps even worse with a disgruntled Peppers.
This team is heading in the same general direction as did the Hornets.
Bad play, bad management, declining fan interest and media support.
New Orleans already has a pretty good NFL team, but Los Angeles doesn't.
Something to consider.
First, great letter. Well said and heartfelt. I agree with everything except the basic premise/ hypothesis as to why pep left. Let's ONCE AND FOR ALL clear up the ENTIRE peppers story. He grew up in NC, played at a high school, college and pro level here. He has family here and was BELOVED. But as you could see numerous times on the practice fields was too busy to sign auto's... once accepting a ride from jerry richardson on a golf cart to AVOID having the discomfort of having some fans at the fences ask for him to come over. This personal observance, the year he CLEARLY sandbagged and produced 2 sacks to prove his "I'm upset and you must please me" point, the fact he DID lie about it being about money, the way he left with no appreciation to the long suffering fans (lebron like) and his generally icy, withdrawn and cocky demeanor tell you his story. He left because we didn't THROW the big money at him a year or two earlier (before his contract expired) EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LEAD THE LEAGUE IN SACKS ANY OF HIS LAST YEARS and he left because he wanted desperately to be selfish and try to combine a hall of fame career, WITH being the highest paid DE and being a superbowl champion. Clearly this is a spoiled man-child who feels entitled to receive ALL life has to offer. His mother and family should be ashamed to have raised a man who doesn't take stock and give thanks for his: talent, millions, fame, former adoring carolina fans, getting to spend his CAREER (largely) in his home state and at least having a CHANCE to win a superbowl. Or did I miss the game winning fumble or sack or int. he got in the superbowl for us... to help us win??? Be thankful for what you have, be content with your wealth of riches (literally and figuratively). Then he taunts fans during the last game with his "quiet" motion, who have every right to boo and be upset? Childish. Indicative of the larger problem in society of parents feeling that if they don't spoil and give their kids everything their children will loose love for them and THAT would defeat the whole point of having had the kids right... unconditional puppy love? Grow a pair, be brave and selfless, have kids to raise upstanding members of society and teach them how to live better than you did, raise self reliant, gracious, humble, honorable and unpretentious kids who reflect the best of humanity.. even if they collect the trash, THEY make the world better... not Julius Peppers. Quality of character, not money is the way the world at large and any god you believe in will judge you Mr. Peppers. Good luck with that.
Well said and heartfelt. I agree with everything except the basic hypothesis as to why pep left. Let's clear up the ENTIRE peppers story. He grew up in NC, played at a high school, college and pro level here. He has family here and was BELOVED. However I once witnessed him accepting a ride from jerry richardson on a golf cart to AVOID having the discomfort of having some fans at the fences ask for him to come over. This personal observance, the year he CLEARLY sandbagged and produced 2 sacks, the fact he DID lie about it being about money, the way he left with no appreciation to the long suffering fans (lebron like) and his generally icy demeanor, tell you his story. He left because we didn't THROW the big money at him a year or two earlier and because he wanted to be selfish and try to combine a hall of fame career, WITH being the highest paid DE and being a superbowl champion. Clearly this is a spoiled man-child who feels entitled to receive ALL life has to offer. His mother and family should be ashamed to have raised a man who doesn't take stock and give thanks for his: talent, millions, fame, former adoring carolina fans, getting to spend his CAREER (largely) in his home state and at least having a CHANCE to win a superbowl. Or did I miss the game winning fumble or sack or int. he got in the superbowl for us... to help us win??? Then he taunts fans during the last game with his "quiet" motion, who have every right to boo and be upset? Childish. Indicative of the larger problem in society of parents feeling that if they don't spoil and give their kids everything their children will loose love for them and THAT would defeat the whole point of having had the kids right... unconditional puppy love? Be brave and selfless, raise kids to be upstanding members of society and teach them how to live better than you did, raise self reliant, gracious, humble, honorable and unpretentious kids who reflect the best of humanity.. even if they collect the trash, THEY make the world better... not Julius Peppers.
I don't know if it's more ridiculous that Neal wrote this idiotic letter, or that Fowler posted it. Peppers knew that this team wasn't going anywhere so he left and he made alot of money in the process. In the real world this would be a brilliant decision. Fan's like Neal criticized Peppers continuously. Now they're crying because he's gone.
The same idiots on here standing up for Peppers are the ones standing up for our idiot coach. The truth is he snubbed us, which is fine, but then helies to the press and acts like it is all the Panthers fault. WRONG. You made a biz decision, live with it. Just like JR will live with many of our decisions not to buy tix, tshirts or anything else thanks to his cheapness.
I agree almost entirely with "SCPOAB." I also want to say that I was one of the few fans around here that said "keep him." Every chance I got, in forums like this, I said "pay the man." I almost got sick to my stomach this year when I received my Sports Illustrated "NFL Preview" issue. There was Peppers, a full page picture, looking buff as ever, and in a Chicago uniform. It was just too much for me to take. I'm a club level PSL owner, and for the first year in the team's history, I sold my tickets for the entire season. I'm not a fair weather fan; a fair weather fan is one who refuses to support a team unless they're winning. As a lowly fan in the NFL, I have only one way to make a statement, and that is by staying home. I'm making my "statement" because of management decisions, and the Peppers situation was the final straw for me. The original straw was the contract for Delhomme...as if he was going to be "the man" by the time they gave him the contract. Everyone said Peppers wasn't woth the money he was asking, yet it took all of 2 days for a team to step up with the funds. I can argue that no player is worth the money, but that is life in the NFL. The league generates the funds, so I say let the players take the lion's share. Yes, they are all rich, but the owners are much richer. We needed Peppers for many reason, not the least of which was to have someone to rally around on defense. Now, we have no one that fits the bill on either side of the ball. On offense, we need a Testeverde type player at quarterback, and we need him NOW. We may have a quarterback that can lead us in the future, but he needs a mentor, and we need someone who can step in immediately and play as needed, even if we sign said player to a one year deal. It's as if no one has done any planning for the future over the last few years, and here we are in the future. Peppers could have been the man on defense, probably for another solid 5 years or more. WE had him, we had him, and we let him get away. Yes, he wanted out...but ask yourself why. think about it, he was raised in NC, went to UNC, and had a great gig right here in Charlotte. For someone to want out of a situation like that, things have to really get bad. Does everyone think he just wanted out for the sake of wanting out? He wanted out because every single thing (money was just one of those things) about the organization was opposed to what attracts the man. The ultra conservative defense was another. Guess what, Panthers' executives...we the fans don't like it either, but we can't just leave and head for Chicago. We can, however, stay home on Sunday afternoons. We're not asking for a complete gamble on every defensive play, but what about a blitz like maybe once a season? We had him, we had the man...
Anonymous said...
Its unfortunate that Neal wasted his time writing this. Julius Peppers will never see this letter since he can't read.
It isn't my place to tell anyone what to think or say about Pep. To each their own. However having gone to school with him for many years, I take offense to the above comment.
I don't give a rats a@@ what you think of his abilities and decisons regarding his professional career, but I can tell you this, when you say he cant read ( which I'm sure you meant to be as ignorant as it is sarcastic), you're pretty much saying I shouldnt be able to as well, considering we were both taught in the same Nash County Schools?
I respect Neal's letter, doesn't mean I agree with all he said. Who am I to justify whatever the reasons were that JP wanted out, bottom line is hes gone, I wish him well and as a true Panther fan, isnt it time at 0-5 we start figuring out what is really going on.
I will end with this, I was at the game Sunday and I was proudly wearing my Peppers jersey, and no I didn't boo JP...matter of fact, I was quite jealous of the interception, considering he wasnt in a Carolina uniform.
We can all go back and forth, about him taking plays off, he being greedy, being standoffish to fans and media....
Whether you love him, hate him, admire him etc, hes obviously still a very passionate topic or we wouldnt be sitting here discussing this, good or bad.
Smile fellas...lifes to short to sweat things we cant change!!!
Neal,
Your just upset because now you have to go out and buy a different jersey to wear to the games.
Peppers left because he wanted to leave. He doesn't need to apologize, nor justify his decision. You would do the same thing if this opportunity presented itself to you.
Man up, and grow a set! Where do you live? I'll have a box of tissues delivered to you.
Funny letter! Football is a business and JP made a business decision and now he's laughing all the way to the bank. Does anyone really think that JP cares about his former fans? Let him go - please!!!
Really Scott? We all know you're not a real sports writer but now the best you can do is to print someone else's work? The title of your column is "Scott Says ..." not "Scott Copies ...".
The letter and lots of the comments are ridiculous. If I own Bank of America stock, but the stock at Citi is better, I am not going to stick with the Bank of America stock just because I was born in NC, nor because I have owned it so long. I am going to go where I get a higher return. For Peppers, that was Chicago, more money and a chance to win, 2 things that the Panthers obviously cannot provide. It is simple economics, but the author of the letter and the authors of lots of the comments let their emotions get in the way. You "men" who are whining about Peppers are a bunch of babies. I am a Panthers fan, and I think Peppers played awesome against us, and it would be sad for that much talent to be wasted on our terrible team. Don't blame Peppers for the losing season the Panthers are having. Blame the owners and the coaching staff.
When Peppers and HALL OF FAME are mentioned in the same sentence I think of all the great players,Butkus Brown,Sayers, and the list goes on. I can't even imagine Peppers name with this company.Maybe its getting older that I look at the STARS of today of no equal to the oldtimers but the main difference is passion.Watch films of Butkus,Mean Joe Greene, Carl ELLER,no comparison. Its like the baseball HOF talking about Manny Ramirez or Thome.If your not a great or close to it fielder there is no way you should be considered for any kind of HOF.I call them statmakers,players who in the end have nice stats but too many no-shows and that was Julius.Judgeing by the condition of the Panthers I can see why he wanted to leave.
in addition to Frankie, watch what you wish for. I hear Vinnie T. is sitting on his couch in Nassau County about two feet away from the phone waiting for that call. Don,t give them dumb a-- Panther exec.'s any ideas.
I am so disgusted with the Panthers owner and management, not only will I not go to another game unless the win a super bowl, I won't even watch another game on the toob. Bring me a ring and in the interim, arrange it so I can watch the 'Skins like I used to before there was a Panthers team here.
I am happy that Peppers is gone and happy that he is performing to his potential. Peppers was not happy playing at Carolina and definitely had a attitude problem. Peppers is not a team player, he is a "it's all about me player" and a "I am not playing football because I love the game, I play because I love the money". Be careful Bears, Peppers is happy now but if you make him mad for any reason, you'll get to see his attitude problem too. I hope not...
Has anybody ever been up to the Panther offices and noticed Jerry Richard's little post-it sign all over the place. It reads something like this:
The most important person in the Panther's organization is the FAN!
It's a hand written copy of a postit note from Richardson that is on everyone's desk up stairs in their offices. There is also a sign in the stadium that says the same thing.
If we, the FAN's, are that important, why doesn't this owner listen to what we have to say? Is he really just mocking us inside? Is he really just saying without us he wouldn't be able to make the kind of money he makes off of us?
Please post your thoughts if you have ever seen this sign. Thanks.
Come on fans, seriously let it go. Julius has moved on. This is a guy who was raised in NC, lived in NC all his life (the dag on country, grew up 15 miles from my house so I know it's country). Should we be that mad that after playing with us for 8-9 years he left to better his career and to experience life outside of NC? Are we all so loyal at our jobs when we're faced with a better opportunity or promotion? If I'm a dedicated worker at Coke but I now have the opportunity to work in upper management at Pepsi do you think I'm going to sit around drink COKE all my life??? Seriously? NFL/NBA these guys are business guys too, it's not all about sports. Never question his loyalty because he volunteered in Charlotte, gave generous donations UNC Chapel Hill, and local schools throughout NC. He gave his time, his money, and he was great guy on the field and off. It's ok to be disappointed or even angry that he left but to say he is a Judas for leaving is just ridiculous. Grow up folks and realize that if you were in his shoes and had the opportunity to see the world at a young age, make more money, join a team that actually has potential to win a super bowl you would LEAVE in a heartbeat. See he's not selfish at all, it's the Carolina Panthers Owners who are selfish. For years they wasted $$$ and time on Jake Delhomme hoping for a miracle and Peppers had to play all those years with a sorry QB and only could HOPE that each year Jake would do better or not get injured. Panthers are too darn a cheap to hire great talent and until they grow some "balls" we'll continue to be the LOSING team..... Written by a dedicated Panthers fan and a person that knows Julius heart and his intentions.....
Anonymous said...
Come on fans, seriously let it go. Julius has moved on. This is a guy who was raised in NC, lived in NC all his life (the dag on country, grew up 15 miles from my house so I know it's country
Now this I agree with...It is indeed country...
Back to my hooked on phonics worked for me, since us "country folk" cant read!!
And yes Mary many times...he has often been quoted in several newspapers as saying that exact same thing..
Enjoy the bye week everyone!!
Great letter Neal. Sort of a finger to your your mouth and a giant "shhh" from Charlotte back to Peppers! Although, I prefer to use another finger myself...
Exactly why I don't embrace this so called NFL team in Charlotte. Due to its IDIOT fans. Good gawd almighty, the empty seats in BoA stadium have more common sense than these Whine & Cheese fans. You people adored the player in question for years. His contract negotiations didn't go the way the team wanted, so the player got a better deal elsewhere. He came into Soldier Field II last week (& I call it that since the place was full of Bears fans) and shut you people up! Good for him... So, sit back with your Pop Warner level QB, your freak-show "injured" WR, and deal with the record the teams deserves. But don't worry, the clueless sports media in this football-poor town will continue to make up BS stories to help you think you know something about big-league football. Look what this story did for some clueless b*st*rd named Neal!!!
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