Michael Jordan Got Unexpectedly Singled-Out by an NFL Hall of Famer

You never know what sporting event you might find Michael Jordan at these days. On Saturday, August 3, it was the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2024.

This year's inductees included fellow University of North Carolina alum Julius Peppers, who gave the NBA legend an unplanned, heartwarming shoutout.

"This ain't in my speech, but I'm going to say it anyway," Peppers said to those in attendance. "While I'm talking about Chapel Hill and North Carolina ... I ain't going to sit up here and act like my idol, and one of the reasons I went to Chapel Hill is not in the building. The GOAT. His heirness, Michael Jordan.

"MJ, I want to thank you for the inspiration and the memories. Love you, big bro."

Peppers, the No. 2 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 draft, remained close to home for the first eight years of his NFL career. After seven seasons split between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, the nine-time Pro Bowler returned to Carolina for his final two seasons in 2017-18.

Like Jordan, Peppers was also a two-sport athlete and dazzled on the basketball court at UNC for two seasons in 1999-2000. With his 6-foot-7 athletic frame, Peppers averaged 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds as a freshman before shooting a team-best 64.3% across 25 games as a sophomore.