His former academic advisor at UNC eventually became his agent, and a trusted voice in his career. But over the years, Carey and Peppers gradually became family.

The Panthers legend made another trip to Canton — unveiling his locker of memorabilia, making an imprint, judging some barbecue and much more as he approaches his enshrinement in August.

Watch the Panthers Legend see his Hall of Fame locker in Canton, Ohio, for the first time.

See photos of the Panthers Legend as he tours his Hall of Fame locker at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and tastes some local delicacies at a BBQ competition.

Before he was a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Panthers, he was an aspiring basketball player at UNC, taking part in a Final Four run and making people wonder how good he could have been in another sport.

See the Panthers Legend tour the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, where he met NFL fans and fellow Class of 2024 member Patrick Willis, and immersed himself in the museum's rich history.

The Panthers legend made his first trip inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week, and continued his own process of absorbing the fact he belongs there.

As he visits the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, the Panthers great talks shares a fond memory of Sam Mills and how the Keep Pounding mantra started.

It took a lot of work, some subterfuge, a flimsy excuse from one of his kids, and one of the greatest careers in football history to lead of a memorable night for Peppers.

Go inside Julius Peppers' NFL Honors weekend, where he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.

The Carolina Panthers Hall of Fame inductee Julius Peppers, on the career that got him inducted into Canton, John Fox's influence, and what he sees in Dan Morgan and Brian Burns.

The Panthers Legend met with the media to share his thoughts on becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.

Don't miss this amazing drone shot of Bank of America Stadium lit in honor of Julius Peppers as he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.

Now that he's going to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024, Julius has to decide what his bust is going to look like.

Straight from the NFL Honors red carpet, we asked players and personalities how many peppers they could name. Don't forget Julius!

Go behind the scenes of Julius Peppers' experience at the NFL Honors weekend in Las Vegas, where he was named a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.

Former Carolina Panthers defensive end and linebacker Julius Peppers receives his Hall of Fame door knock from Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith.

See former Browns, Jets, Broncos and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco talk about the dominance of Panthers Legend and 2024 Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.

Watch former NFL star wideout Chad Johnson compare 2024 Hall of Famer Julius Peppers' two-way sports ability to the likes of Deion Sanders.

Watch NFL pass-rush legend and sportscaster Marcellus Wiley give his thoughts on Panthers icon and 2024 Hall of Famer Julius Peppers from the NFL Honors red carpet.

Watch Mike Rucker talk about the legacy of his former teammate and 2024 Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.

Not only did he play against him ... he played with him! Watch former Panthers wideout Torrey Smith talk about the impact Carolina icon Julius Peppers had on the game.

See the NFL Network reporter's take on Julius Peppers' basketball abilities in this NFL Honors red carpet interview.

The Dallas Cowboys icon and Pro Football Hall of Famer talks about the new Panthers Hall of Famer, Julius Peppers.

Star linebacker Bobby Wagner shares a story of training with Julius Peppers from the NFL Honors red carpet.