University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels In The NFL
October 14, 2002 | Football
Oct. 14, 2002
Atlanta Falcons - Alge Crumpler
Crumpler caught two passes for 39 yards for the Atlanta Falcons who defeated the New York Giants, 17-10 in New York. The Falcons backup quarterback, Doug Johnson, playing in place of the injured Michael Vick, found Crumpler on a first and 10 play in the second quarter that Crumpler turned into a 30 yard gain, which led to a 31-yard field goal by Jay Feely.
Dallas Cowboys - Ebenezer Ekuban
Ekuban, who was drafted by Dallas in 1998 as its first round pick, harassed the Carolina Panthers' offense in the Cowboys 14-13 win over Carolina. Ekuban recorded five solo tackles, one assist and a sack to help Dallas obtain its third win of the season.
New Orleans Saints - Sedrick Hodge
Hodge made his fifth start in six games this season for the New Orleans Saints. The second year linebacker recorded four solo tackles and three assists in the Saints 43-27 victory over the Washington Redskins.
Carolina Panthers - Julius Peppers
The former Tar Heel two-sport star (basketball, football) continues to dominate on the professional level. Peppers, who is arguably the front-runner for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, terrorized the Dallas Cowboys offense in the Panthers 14-13 loss at Texas Stadium.
Peppers, recorded three sacks, an interception and forced a fumble despite being double-teamed for most of the game. Peppers interception came with 1:17 remaining in the first quarter and he returned Quincy Carter's errant pass 21 yards before pitching the ball to teammate Mark Fields who ran 30 more yard to the Dallas 32. This phenomenal play led to a Panthers score just before the end of the quarter.
Through just six games for the Panthers, Peppers is tied for second in the NFC with teammate Mike Rucker in sacks with six.
Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Sims
Sims, who started for the second time in his career, was injured in the first quarter of the Chiefs 35-34 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Sims broke his left elbow and is out indefinitely. The Chiefs drafted Sims in the 2002 NFL Draft as the sixth pick overall.
Tar Heels In The NFL | ||
| Ethan Albright | Washington Redskins | |
| Dre Bly | St. Louis Rams | |
| Alge Crumpler | Atlanta Falcons | |
| Russell Davis | Arizona Cardinals | |
| Kevin Donnalley | Carolina Panthers | |
| Deon Dyer | Miami Dolphins | |
| Ebenezer Ekuban | Dallas Cowboys | |
| Greg Ellis | Dallas Cowboys | |
| Bernardo Harris | Baltimore Ravens | |
| William Henderson | Green Bay Packers | |
| Jimmy Hitchcock | New England Patriots | |
| Sedrick Hodge | New Orleans Saints | |
| Vonnie Holliday | Green Bay Packers | |
| Leon Johnson | Chicago Bears | |
| Freddie Jones | Arizona Cardinals | |
| Randy Jordan | Oakland Raiders | |
| Eddie Mason | Washington Redskins | |
| Quincy Monk | NY Giants | |
| Keith Newman | Buffalo Bills | |
| Julius Peppers | Carolina Panthers | |
| Jeff Saturday | Indianapolis Colts | |
| Brian Simmons | Cincinnati Bengals | |
| Ryan Sims | Kansas City Chiefs | |
| Brandon Spoon | Buffalo Bills | |
| David Thornton | Indianapolis Colts | |
| Bracey Walker | Detroit Lions | |
