I'm curious as to what sort of reaction Julius Peppers will get in Bank of America Stadium Sunday when his Chicago Bears play the Panthers.
So is Peppers. When asked what sort of reception he expected from the fans who cheered for him for eight seasons in a Panther uniform, Peppers said Wednesday on a conference call: "I have absolutely no idea about that. I know I have a large fan base down there and I also know I have people who don’t necessarily care for me too much either. So which crowd shows up, I don’t know."
Peppers had a lot more to say on that 19-minute conference call, including a couple of digs at the Panthers for the way they handled his situation when the two sides were parting earlier this year.
Peppers is right about having a fan base here -- you only had to look at the hundreds of No.90 jerseys in the stadium for each home game to know that. But he became a controversial figure the past few years in Carolina, when he and the Panthers could not agree to terms for a new contract and Peppers admittedly wanted out.
If you saw the Washington at Philadelphia game last Sunday, you probably saw former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb get a warm standing ovation before the game from a Philly crowd that is often one of the most vicious in the game.
"I was a little overwhelmed by the standing ovation, the reception that I got,” McNabb said later. "You spend 11 years here and you know it’s coming. Obviously, I wouldn’t expect them to cheer me the whole game; that just wouldn’t be right. I was just happy about the way they gave me the standing ovation early, and then I buckled up the chin strap and the boos started coming."
For Peppers, I doubt the reception will be that kind. He is one of the Bears' captains, and as such he may well be on the field for the coin toss before the game. I would expect him to get a mixed bag of boos and cheers.
So my question to you would be this: If you're going to be at the stadium Sunday, will you cheer or boo Peppers? Even if you don't have tickets, what would be your reaction to No.90 in a Bears uniform if you were going to go?
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
92 comments:
I will boo him mercilessly. I might burn his jersey in effigy as well.
I will wear my 90 jersey. I like Peppers much better than I like the team management and coaching staff.
It's a wonder Peppers consented to an interview after how Fowler, Gantt, and the no longer employed Panthers beatwriters treated him here.
I won't be there because I think this season is a giant F U to the fans. Panthers didn't put out a good product. I will watch from home
I will Cheer him because he did help us go to a Super Bowl. While the last few years were iffy we had more good time watching him than bad. Sure wish we still had him. We may have a few more sacks. maybe wins
Isaiah says: I will boo peppers. I watched him on binoculars at times, and he truly gave poor effort on many many plays (against Philly last year, I watched 5 straight plays, 3 f 5 he stood straight up and moved his feet in place doing nothing, 4th he did same and them McNabb was chased his side and he tracked him down by the sideline and got credited for a tackle. Thatis how he inconsistently played, giving effort when it meant something to him personally. If I was given by God his body and physical skills, I would have been all pro in two sports and hall of fame in one. After booing peppers I may start the "JD must go" chant. As our OC / HC combinatin is woeful, poor game plans, poor play calling, stupid motions by WR bringing tenth man into box, no use fo multiple formations for same plays, lack of match up game planning and creating mismatched thru formations and motions, no understanding of modern passing games including establishing high low and side by side reds for QB, options routes, pick or snag routes, no utilization of crossing and underneath routes for playmakers, I could go on and on, "JD must GO"
I won't boo. He's not worth my time. He gets treated like any other opponent. Ignored.
I will CHEER. No question about that.
I sincerely hope and pray that Julius Peppers "rips" the Panthers next Sunday when it matters the most. Each sack/tackle will be slap/punch in the ugly face of the nose-picking Jerry Richardson and kick in the rear for Marty Hurney and John Fox.
I may feel bad for Jimmy Clausen (or whichever clown that plays quarter-back) but will surely enjoy the scene(s) when he and most importantly the over-hyped/over-paid number 69 gets MAULED.
I live in Texas now but I will surely show up for this game at the stadium wearing a panthers' opponent jersey for the very first time in my life. The jersey will have the number 90 on it. I have been waiting for this game since April.
Cheer LOUDLY.
I've never been to a home game in Charlotte where they introduced the visiting team by player. Is this Sunday going to be different?
I have no hate for Peppers. He never asked out and played out his contract and left. A statement to the fans as to why he was leaving would have been nice, but not necessary. I'm not a Peppers fan, but I don't think he did anything wrong.
Scott,
This is a no-brainer. Cheer obviously. It's a simple choice between a proven hall of fame performer and a joke of a team that happens to be his ex.
If I could go I'd cheer - before the game - him even though I don't like how he handled the situation. He was what made the defense great for a majority of the time here. I'd treat it like Philly did for McNabb.
Granted - I'll be at home. With how the Panthers have played (THANKS MANAGEMENT!!!) I don't think I could stomach the game. Knowing a lot of fans feel the same way, I'll be lucky not to see it blacked out.
I will wear my Peppers jersey from 2004 and cheer for him. If the whole stadium does that, I hope that will send a message to the dumb-ass JR.
Cathead: You must've never been then. They introduce either the offense or defense of the other team in every game.
Cheer him, why hate? He was too big and too good for this podunk town. He did hte right thing and left. He was a class act his entire time here in CLT. Thanks for the great years Pep, play hard and make JR mad for giving you away.
Neither. I cheer for my team, the Panthers. He's not on it any more, so not worthy of my effort.
If i was there i would cheer. Mainly because he is a beast, a local product, and a Tarheel. This is a business where we as fans put our heart on the line. He gave me some epileptic moments, like his blocked kicks in the Tampa game, his career ending shot on Simms (who should have never played over Major Applewhite), and his interceptions/fumbles for TDs. I love the guy.
1/2 of the crowd will be bears fans all the panther fans are selling their tickets to bears fans it will be hard to tell
wear number 90 and beer will be poured on you....
Oh, I'll be happy to boo...most of the time when he was here, I wanted to boo the lazy overpaid Carolina product.
BOOOOO!...but if Fox would run out 1st my throat would be to sore to BOOOO!..but i still have my middle fingers!!!!
I will be there with my Julius Peppers "throwback" on, cheering and raising the roof after each of his 8.5 spine tingling sacks he gets sunday!
Why shouldn't I cheer for Peppers? That's a foregone conclusion. He was the best player in the team for years. This is the only game this season that I wanted to go to watch. Not to see the boring Panthers, but to see Julius Peppers.
I will cheer for Peppers. He needed a fresh start, now some of the fans want to cry why the FO let him go.
Can anybody make up their damn minds? They twice wanted to resign him.
Ppl would be stupid to say he was worth $21.5 million if franchise once again.
Move the team to LA, I would love to see bitching and moaning thing. If you can do a better job how abouy apply for a GM job?
Or let buy the team since JR gave the fans a big Fuck You?
I will be cheering him on and cringing as he rips it up and take charge...If you think that he will go easy on the Panthers...think again...like he said he this is business and he is at work!! Go to it Julius!!!Go Pep!!
If I went, I'd probably sit there in totally silent apathy, with regard to him as well as the Jerry Richardson Panthers.
Might scope out a TopCat or 2, tho.
As usual the Carolina Fans don't know who their team is, since 90% of the people that go to games are tranplanted from other cities, they will do the dumb thing by cheering a player on the opposing team.
True fans should 'boo' the Chicago team, and Peppers.. period..!!
@Cathead - you are correct, they don't introduce the visiting teams players in Charlotte or any NFL city. The other guy "Anomymous 4:27pm"...is thinking Baseball, Basketball..sheezz..
I won't boo, I don't want him to be angry
If I had tickets and time for the game I would boo him. Unlike McNabb he left us, despite the spin he tried today. He made clear he wanted out of Charlotte and NC; despite major contract offers. He's also taken more than a few shots are charlotte since leaving.
To Anonymous at 5:33 pm:
You said "As usual the Carolina Fans don't know who their team is".
My question to you "Does the dumb-ass Jerry Richardson know who the fans are"?
If the thugs in Philadelphia can cheer for McNabb, I'm sure the good people of Charlotte would want to cheer on Peppers. Love him or hate him, he's not a bad guy and he's a former Panther. Let's all show some class when he arrives.
To Boo or Cheer one has to attend, not sure there will be much of that.
ANON 4:51, if you spill a beer on me on purpose, you will be carted off on a stretcher. Try it boy, make my day. You will be sent home with that "just got spanked by my mom" look on your face.
BOO.. THIS MAN!! BOO!!! BOO!!!
Everyone brings up McNabb in Phillie getting a standing ovation when he went back, but the difference between Peppers and McNabb is that the Eagles did not want McNabb and traded him away. Peppers on the overhand was given two contract offers to stay and still say no. It was clear Peppers didn't want to be here.
I probably won't boo or cheer but, a light chap. I'm rockin' the 90 jersey though. Why not?
My husband and I will be cheering for him...in our Chicago Bears #90 jerseys. I went to college with Peppers and have been loyal to him since the beginning. I wish him nothing but success and thinks the Panthers made a HUGE mistake letting him go. Go Pep!
Panthers Fans: Don't boo Peppers. Why! Boo J.R ,J.Fox,M.H the General manager. This why Peppers left.He saw a lame duck coaching, no skilled players on both sides of the ball. Fake Jake was is married to the J.R. daughter.Get the big picture. No vets players but rookies and rejects.Cheap players but overpaid tickets and food.The lions play better than us.
Mark 6:4 of the only real truth on earth Jesus Christ said "ye are never honored as a prophet in your own home town.."
Not comparing Peppers to the only real divine Messiah as he would be more like a fake pagan one such as allah but the symbolism is clear.
I'm boycotting the Panthers the rest of the season. I would suggest the rest of the fans to do the same. That's the only way to get the owner's attention in this economy.
CHEER HIM LOUDLY! Obvious he is a CAROLINA grad - as he had enough sense to get the hell out of dodge and away from Jerry Richardson's ego and need for absolute control. Carolina Panthers AND your fans ... you are ALL a joke in the pro sports world. Enjoy your losing future! You should - God knows you are paying for it!!
Do you really think Marty Hurney gives two cents about us? He's making a very nice income and really doesn't care what we say on this site. HE DOESN'T CARE! HE'S JUST GOING TO CONTINUE DOING IT HIS WAY UNTIL SOMEONE AT THE TOP TELLS HIM DIFFERENTLY. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR ENERGY ON HIM ANY MORE BECAUSE AGAIN "HE DOESN'T GIVE A RATS ASS WHAT YOU AND I THINK!!!
I wont boo Peppers but I will definitely boo the hell out of out that greedy pile of crap Jerry Richardson when they show him on the score board.
We should all show Julius the respect he earned during his time with the Panthers. 89 & 90 are the only great players we have really ever had. It was a pleasure to watch him play and I wish him well with the Bears.
Cheer him. It's not Peppers fault that Jerry has decided to make our franchise into the model of fiscal responsibility within the league. Mr. Richardson needs to realize that I for one as a PSL and season ticket holder am getting tired of paying top dollar to watch bargain basement talent. If he doesn't have the money to do this the right way perhaps it is time for him to bring in someone who does.
Jerry Richardson has NO MONEY! His money went out the door when the Panthers released all of those vetran players. We, the fans, are paying for all of his front office mistakes this season. He's hoping we would start drinking the purple cool about the youth movement but I hope, we the FANS are alot smarter than he thinks we are.
Sorry I left out Purple Cool Aid.
Jerry Richardson has NO MONEY! All of his money went out the door when the Panthers released all of their vetran players. Close to 20 million dollars. We, the fans, are paying for all of his and all of his front office mistakes this season.
He's hoping we would start drinking the "Purple cool aid" about the youth movement but I hope we, the FANS, are a lot smarter than he thinks we are.
I will be there and I will boo Peppers.
Boo but it not worth it. The only reason they had to wash Pepper's uniform two of the last three years he was here was to get the grass stains off the seat of his pants. Cause that is were he spent most of those seasons - watching the backs run over his zone. It was and still is only about the $ with Peppers. What a contrast we Panther fans saw no team Peppers and a real football player Smith.
I guess I'll have to boo Peppers, but it's not personal. I plan to boo all pooh bears. I replaced my 90 with a Clausen jersey today. Sort of like, out with the old, in with the new. And all you fair weather fans please relax.
Anonymous said...
wear number 90 and beer will be poured on you....
October 6, 2010 4:51 PM
Hahaha, right on. No. Wait. That's alcohol abuse
Don't boo him or cheer him, simply ignore him. I think booing an athlete only motivates him.
Carolina has a home crowd???
The Panthers have the worst "fans" in the entire NFL. The Panthers tried to pay him top money TWICE and he turned them down. He has never lived up to his god given ability because he has no motor. I have a feeling we won't even recognize him once the game starts. Once he gets into the B of A stadium he will hit the snooze button like he did so many times over the last 3 years. If this traitor who turned down top money to play for his home state team doesn't get booed heartily I will be embarrassed to be a Panthers fan. All you Tarhole fanboys are probably why he wanted out of town to begin with. I hope Peppers rides out of B of A on a cart. GO PANTHERS!!!
I can assure you two seats in section 525 will be occupied by one time Peppers fans who will BOO him from the first time he steps on the field until there are four 0s on the clock at the end of the game.
Boo, he seldom played a full game at full speed. Just kinda showed up and shuffled around a little most of the time.
I own 4 PSL's for the season and I've sold every game the rest of the year because of how the team is being managed and how bad they played at the TB game. I don't buy the "we're getting our younger talent on the field this year". I'd be upset if I was Fox having so few veterans on the team in the final year of a contract. 2 rookie QB's and 3 rookie WR's?
Smiley - perfect example of a blinded fan willing to support CRAP! The fact Peppers walked away from being the highest paid defensive player says something. JUST LIKE Richardson raising ticket prices for minor league talent. Yet the foolish never see the truth - remaining part of such a mixkey Mouse organization as the Carolina Panthers have become - was not / is not worth ANY amount of money to a pleyer wanting to win. Just watch how many free agents pass on the Panthers in the future. Wait, scratch that. Hiring free agents requires spending money. This is Richardson's house. Wipe your feet, shut your mouth, bend over and give up your wallets. Oh, the joys of being a Panther's fan. LOL!
I'm amazed that some idiots blame Richardson for him leaving... Peppers was twice offered contracts and he didn't sign. Heck, he didn't even give a response to the Panthers. And he wonders why the Panthers didn't say "thanks but no thanks" after last season? Give me a break. He also gave indications that he didn't want to be here long term so why would the Panthers sign him to another "overpayment" of $20 million??? If there was one smart thing the Panthers did, it was walking away from Peppers.
It just dawned on me why Panther fans are noy upset about Richardson taking their money. You are the ONLY ones stupid enough believing the recession is over. Peppers left because he wants to win. Show some intelligence and at least see the truth. Had he stayed in Carolina, look what he would be facing. Complete and total disarray.
Instead, he at least has a chance making the playoffs. The continued loyalty to an arrogant, greedy owner amazes me -- but then again, just a P.T. Barnum said ...
If Peppers wanted to win, he should've gone somewhere other than Chicago... Jay Cutler isn't going to win anything either, LOL.
WooHoo!!! LATEST NFL POWER RANKINGS -
Panthers are a proud 31st out of 32 teams. Thanks PSL owners!!! YOUR money makes it possible not to be in last place
and you dummies wonder why Peppers said no thanks? You bunch of morans!!!
Morans. Right!
If Peppers wanted to win so badly then why did he go to the Bears? He doesn't care about winning. He wanted to go to whoever was willing to pay him the most money outside of Carolina. Last time I checked Peppers isn't on my team any more so he will get booed.
If you knew Pepper's character, you would not be a fan of his. He thinks he's a Gangsta. As a player, he ads a dimension to the defense that few teams have. My dissapointment is that we got nothing for him. Would have been great to have traded for draft choices. Pats know how do do this and have plentiful high draft choices every year, plus they compete as one of the best teams in football every year. They've shown it can be done.
Remember this is the SAME player our owner asked to step up and be a team leader. Peppers refused.
BOO LOUDLY, PEOPLE! REMEMBER THAT!
Peppers was one of the best player the Panthers had. Panthers didn't deserve to keep him here with the fair-weather fans they have. Peppers will dedicate one of his sacks to Fox & Co. on Sunday... GO PEP!
Bandito
Did Jordan play NBA in NC? No. He played for Chicago his entire career even though both his parents were both from NC and raised here and played at UNC.
Peppers is not all that that. He was decent at UNC but nothing great. Same for the Panthers.
Does Illinois and Chicago SUCK and steal good players from NC? Hell yes but thats due to a mega big city of 7 million. Charlotte is small with only 600k and thats only because it annexed the whole county.
Size matters in pro sports.
Absolutely boo. This guy had two chances to play for the Panthers and be the highest paid defensive player in the league and he declined. But more importantly, he was consistently inconsistent with his efforts and was single blocked by 5'7" Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville a few years ago. That only happens to a guy who isn't trying. He's a chump and I hope he gets ripped by the fans on Sunday.
Love Peppers. Will wear my Panthers Pepper jearsey and cheer his introduction. Once game is on no more cheers... but no boos for his awesome play.
Scott, what do they pay you for?
Cheer loudly. Show some class people.
I was given as a gift two tickets to a Panthers' game of my choice. I chose the Bears/Panthers contest because Peppers and Chris Harris will be here. While I do not have strong feelings either way, I will cheer for Peppers, because that's what classy people do--they respect talent and skill, and are appreciative for what a player has done for the team over the course of years. Peppers is regarded as one of most feared defensive players in the NFL, and I will honor that by cheering a player who did so much to "put Charlotte on the map" with his superlative skill sets. Many times I heard announcers call what Peppers brought to the table "freakish talent" and "scary talent." So get over yourselves, and plead with the Good Lord to spare Clausen's life!
Panther fans are stuck in Charlotte They can't leave. Do me a favor get out and experience another part of the country! You will see why Peppers really left. Expand your horizons.
"Anonymous said...
Cheer loudly. Show some class people.
October 7, 2010 8:48 AM"
Total clasless fool. Gonna be funny when the Bears get their azz whipped too.
Peppers is a great player but in true form unless Carolina opens the wallet Charlotte will remain the Wine and Cheese Team of the NFL. Steve Smith will be next to leave, when that happens I will never watch the Carolina Play again.
Their is light at the end of this tunnel! Bill Cowher will be coming to Charlotte and save us from having this conversation. The panthers will learn how to play as a team. Fox needs to coach college maybe the new UNCC Team that would fit him best.
A new coach? You could bring ANY coach (dead or alive) to the Panthers and they will still FAIL! It's the owner NOT the coach to blame for your dismal team. Enjoy the bottom Panther fans ... you're going to be there a long, long time.
Torn. I want to boo for the manner in which he left and the way he acts as if the Panthers owed him something (even after turning down two offers to become the highest paid defensive player), but, as a Tar Heel, I want to cheer his financial and football success.
Peppers was only motivated when the line consisted of Pep, Ruck, Buck, and Jenk. Since those times he has taken more plays off than Randy Moss. I loved Pep nonetheless. I supported him and sported his Jersey from the day we drafted him. I will wear his jersey Sunday as I have every Sunday this year. The difference this year is there is an F in front of his name and a black and red X through his number. Would you cheer for your ex-wife who cheated on you if she walked on the field? If he wasn't such a b***h about everything, maybe things would be different. For those of you who think he won't show up Sunday beware, the man is still a monster when he chooses to be. The grass stains will not be on the seat of his pants this weekend. Our O-line is horrible. We may have to triple team him. On the contrary, check out Everette Brown's performance, and compare their numbers at the end of the game.
This team's problem still remains on the coaching staff and front office. Davidson should be coaching Pee-Wee, and Fox seems to be more interested in his chewing gum. Fox may be a great coach, but I wonder if he still has this team.
I'll just yawn and watch another game on TV.
why is peppers complaining about the silent treatment Carolina showed him last year when the year before he was asking to be traded! to stand up in a 3-4! before peppers went out and said that. he was going to retire a panther along with Steve Smith. the moment he said he wanted to be traded. Within the Carolina Panthers organization i believe peppers value dropped a good amount. so that year they tagged him was an awesome idea because the following year they let him walk away 30 years old as a free agent. i would have never thought that was the way they would let go of the best DE. they pretty much released him. all that work the panthers put into him to say in the end trade me i want to stand up in a 3-4! what a slap in the face.
Boo - loudly. He slacked off the last 2 years with the Panthers and was overpaid. Ever other down he did the bare minimum to not get called out.
The Panthers put a lot of work into peppers over 8 years but in the end peppers slaps the Panthers organization in the face. saying trade me. he wants to stand in a 3-4 how lame. and now he comments on the panthers like hes still a part of them. what he should do is worry about the sorry bears because they will lose this weekend. so i will be booing him. hes never tried to be more of a vocal leader for the panthers until now.
Cheer
Cheer
I will boo and it has nothing to do with him leaving. I was initally a huge Peppers fan when he came to Carolina. Then a fews years ago I took my then young son to several days of training camp. He was so excited to meet the players and bought a $5 photo of Peppers hoping to get an autograph. Well we got plenty of autographs but I never saw Peppers sign any he would walk straight by all of the fans and ignore all of the kids. I chalked that up to him having a bad day. We've been back every year for 4 years and I have yet to see Pep give any autographs!!! I lost all respect for him. Sure he is a great athelete and football player but that is it.
On the other hand Jake D and many other players were outstanding. Signing autographs every time we went and talking to the kids. Jake was probably the best at that and I really appreciated that for my son and the other young kids.
I won't boo, and I won't applaud him. He is a great player, but not a Panther. I will cheer for my Panthers. We will win.
I will boo!!!!! He is a classless athlete IMO
Cheer loudly. Wear his jersey. Richardson should show some respect.
Panthers always want their players to be very closed mouth. Now Peppers can tell it like it is and tell it he is and its on the NFL channel.
Has Hurney lied about Peppers?? They cannot even go to the table and talk deal. Yet they give players like Jake and Kasey deals and cry cause Jake is fired.
I have developed a steady distaste for Hurney, Fox and Davidson. I am still questioning Richardson. Sounds like the "good ole boys" club who play favorites.
Anonymous said...
I am going to boo the chump. He is boarder line retarded. Have you beer heard him speak?
October 7, 2010 8:11 AM
Don't you just love it when someone comes on here and shows their ignorance regarding how someone speaks, yet their dumb a@@ cant even spell? Go figure, Anon...have another (beer) why don't you!!!
As for Pep or anyone that makes decisions based on their professions,...I'll take the high road and not boo any of them!!
But I will proudly wear my Peppers jersey!!
Post a Comment