Former Panthers LB Thomas Davis reacts to Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad inductions into Hall of Honor
Former Carolina Panthers star Thomas Davis joined Good Morning Football this week to discuss a rare occurrence for his former team – an expansion of the Hall of Honor. The Panthers announced that former stars Julius Peppers and Muhsin Muhammad will have their inductions into the Hall of Honor this season.
Davis played with both former Carolina legends and is fully on board with their induction into the Hall.
“When I came into the NFL and Julius Peppers was on that team, that’s when I knew it was time for me to grow up and grow up fast,” Davis recounted. “You have a guy that is 6-foot-7, 290 pounds, running faster than most of our DBs, like man, what world am I in right now?
“Julius Peppers, one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Most humble guy ever, he worked extremely hard. He taught me how to be a professional… He didn’t talk a lot when I first got there but he worked very hard… I had the opportunity to still be there when he left to Chicago and then came back.”
Peppers, a No. 2 overall draft pick for the Panthers in 2002 out of North Carolina, played eight seasons in Carolina before leaving for a four-year stint with the Bears. He then made a triumphant return in 2017 after playing three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
After initially failing to get him back when he went to the Packers, Davis had a hand in wooing Peppers home to end his career.
Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad left Michigan State and became a second-round NFL Draft pick for the Panthers, selected at No. 43 overall. He played 15 years in the league, including his first nine and last two with Carolina. Like with Peppers, Davis had the opportunity to play with Muhammad during his second stint with the team.
“He’s one of the hardest working men that I’ve ever been around,” Davis said. “We had a package in the playoffs when we got ready to play Chicago and I was the ‘Moose stopper.’ He hated it. We knew what route he was going to run, he absolutely hated it. Once he came back to our team, I understood why everyone loved Muhsin Muhammad…
“There’s no doubt about it, the Panthers got these right, they mean so much to the Panthers.”
The Panthers will hold their induction ceremony this season on Oct. 29. The ceremony will occur at halftime during the home game versus the Houston Texans.
Panthers to add Peppers, Muhammad to Hall of Honor
Over 17 seasons, Julius Peppers tallied 159.5 sacks and had 11 interceptions. Peppers also scored four touchdowns during his career, including two in his first run with the Panthers.
Muhammad was a two-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro in 2004 and finished as the league leader in receptions in 2000, as well as the receiving yards and receiving touchdowns leader in 2004. His best season in the league came in 2004 with 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns on 93 receptions.
The Panthers Hall of Honor began on September 21, 1997 when former team president and general manager Mike McCormack became the first inductee. In 1998, the Panthers added linebacker Sam Mills.
On October 6, 2019, the Panthers expanded the Hall of Honor with the first class in over 20 years. They inducted former players Steve Smith, Sr., Jake Delhomme, Jordan Gross and Wesley Walls.