Retired Peppers back to office for Panthers

After years of pounding quarterbacks on Sundays, Julius Peppers will punch the clock from Monday to Friday as the Carolina Panthers' newest office hire. The team announced Wednesday that they are giving the recently retired defensive end the title of special assistant, business operations.

"Julius is a special person and he will help us in a variety of ways," Panthers vice president of external affairs Steven Drummond said. "His role is part special projects on the business side and part ambassadorship. We are giving him an opportunity to work in several parts of our business while also helping us engage and grow our business with fans and partners. He will be a tremendous asset." Drummond said Peppers will have an office at the team facility and will be in the building several days a week.

Peppers, 39, ranks fourth on the NFL's all-time sacks chart with 159.5, including 97 during his 10 seasons with the Panthers (2002-09 and 2017-18). The No. 2 overall pick by Carolina in the 2002 draft, Panthers also played for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers during a 17-year career that included 11 interceptions, 52 forced fumbles and 266 games played. He made nine Pro Bowls and was a three-time first-team All-Pro.