Julius Peppers & Steve Smith Sr. make Hall of Fame semifinalist list

Two Carolina Panthers legends are a little closer to the Hall of Fame.  Defensive end Julius Peppers and wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. were listed among 25 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame Tuesday.  The crop of 25 players will be reduced to 15 finalists. That group will then be voted on to pick the […]

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Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Panther defensive end Julius Peppers awaits his induction into the Panthers Ring of Honor during the first quarter between the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Two Carolina Panthers legends are a little closer to the Hall of Fame. 

Defensive end Julius Peppers and wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. were listed among 25 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame Tuesday. 

The crop of 25 players will be reduced to 15 finalists. That group will then be voted on to pick the five modern-era players who will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame. 

Peppers is a two-time All-Decade player, and he has a good chance of making the Hall of Fame during this cycle. 

Only 29 individuals have earned two All-Decade selections. 

Peppers is in his first Hall of Fame cycle. 

Oct 6, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. speaks during the Hall of Honor ceremony during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. speaks during the Hall of Honor ceremony during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank of America Stadium. Feature image via Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Smith is a little different. 

The wide receiver is a semifinalist for the third year and has yet to advance to the final 15.

He is one of six wide receivers to make the final 25. Smith is 12th on the league's all-time receptions list with 1,031.