though he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Julius Peppers willingly admits feeling starstruck this weekend.
He might be happy to know that some of his brothers in this new fraternity he’s joined feel the same way about meeting him.
Peppers took part in his first event as Hall of Famer No. 377 on Friday, appearing at the annual Merlin Olsen Luncheon at Caesars Palace, and you can tell he’s still getting used to his new status.
Even among the stars, the new guys get noticed, and the guys who already have their gold jackets are glad to welcome Peppers. Whether it was Warren Sapp lighting up and coming over to hug him when he entered the room or hanging with the kind of quarterbacks he never got to face, like Warren Moon and Jim Kelly, it was a dive into the deep end of his new life for Peppers
He’ll understand he’s supposed to be here,” Moon said, moments after he and Peppers huddled briefly in a corner for a quick introduction and a welcome to the club.
Moon admitted feeling the same way Peppers felt the first time he met quarterbacks like Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, and Joe Namath. So he understands what Peppers is feeling now.
“Just realizing I am now here with these people,” Moon said. “As a young kid, Hall of Famers were like gods, they were people that you didn’t think were really real as far as football players. They’re just that next, next level.
“Now, all of a sudden, I’m one of them, and I’m still in awe when I go in the room with all of them. I’m a part of this team, you know, and I think a lot of guys will tell you the same thing, even though they probably felt like they deserved to be here. It’s still an unreal feeling to be a part of it.
