July 1, 2007

Matthew Hatfield
VirginiaPreps.com

On Saturday afternoon at Darling Stadium in Hampton, VA, the Ronald Curry Football Camp & Celebrity Weekend brought some of the brightest and best NFL players to the Hampton Roads area to spend time with fans and kids alike.  Among those in attendance was Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, one of only two people to ever play in both the Super Bowl and the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.  A three-time Pro Bowl, Peppers has registered double-digit sacks in four of his five seasons in the league, including a career-high 13 during the 2006 campaign. 

Hatfield:  Julius, talk about this camp a little bit and why you're here? 

Peppers:  "I'm just here to support Ronald.  Happy for him, so I just came to see him."   

Is there a solid bond between you and him, having both gone to school at the University of North Carolina?  

"Definitely ? no doubt.  We both have a long history.  We go back, we had some great moments together at Carolina; basketball and football.  It's always good to see him." 

Last season's version of the Carolina Panthers were predicted in the preseason by numerous so-called experts to reach or make a serious run at the Super Bowl.  What do you guys have to do this year to get to Arizona (site of Super Bowl XLII)? 

"Work harder and have a little bit of luck." 

Now you've achieved a lot in your career so far, already 53.5 sacks in five seasons, gotten a big contract, what is left for you to get individually ? NFL Defensive Player of the Year? 

"Most definitely.  Hopefully, I'll get one before I set it down.  One or two." 

A lot of things this past season and off-season in the NFL have been mentioned about the league's image problems.  Do you think the NFL should promote more events like these that are not only good for the kids, but the community as well? 

"It's always a couple of bad apples who spoil the whole bunch, but overall, the NFL has a lot of good guys.  Sometimes I guess negativity sells or brings more attention, so people are going to focus on that.  But there's a lot of good things going on in the league.  We probably should get a little bit more promotion doing these kinds of things."   

Any particular reason you think the league doesn't promote more events like this?  

"I don't really know.  Maybe this year we'll see a difference with the new Commissioner."   

What's the secret to your success or is there one? 

"There's no secret.  I've just been blessed with talent, staying humble and keep still working hard, not resting on your laurels.   

What do you think kids can get from this type of day, what can they learn?  

"Be inspired.  They see Ronald out here, they see myself, Dr?ly, a couple other cats out here.   If they see us then it inspires them.  If we made it they can make it; those kind of things.  It's just uplifting [for] the community." 

Matthew Hatfield has been with VirginiaPreps.com since 2004, covering Eastern Region Basketball and assisting Rod Johnson with ER Football.  Visit his website at www.matthewhatfield.com ? where his 4^th Annual Football Preview (NFL & College) is set to debut on July 31^st.  Shoot him an e-mail to hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com.