Julius Peppers announces retirement from NFL

One of the greatest pass-rushers in NFL history has decided to call it a career.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers announced on Friday that he is retiring. The team shared an emotional tribute video to him on Twitter:

Julius Peppers has something to say… pic.twitter.com/VKGjFmlWum

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) February 1, 2019

Peppers, 39, was drafted by Carolina with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Panthers before signing a massive free agent contract with the Bears on 2010. After four seasons in Chicago, Peppers spent three with the Green Bay Packers and then returned to Carolina for the last two.

Peppers had 16 sacks with the Panthers between 2017 and 2018, so he was still able to get after the quarterback even in his late-30s. He finishes his career with 159.5 sacks, which places him fourth all time.