Cards: Action Packed 1992, ProSet 1989, Topps AAF 2019
Acquired: TTM 2021, C/o Work
Sent: 4/3 Received: 5/10 (37 days)
Donation: $5.00 per card
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
- Recorded 379 tackles and 5 sacks playing for the Buckeyes from 1982-1985.
- New York Giants 2nd Round pick out of Ohio State in 1986 who was penciled in to play inside linebacker replacing Harry Carson.
- Equally adept dropping into pass coverage or laying down the wood on opposing ball carriers.
- Giants leading tackler in 1988, 1990-1992.
- Pepper joined the Cleveland Browns in 1993, reuniting him with former Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, who used him at both inside and outside linebacker.
- Johnson led the Browns in tackles with 207 in 1994, and 195 in 1995.
- Went on to play for the Lions (96), and Jets (97/98).
- Joined coaching staff of the Patriots in 2000 as a positional coach, and coached there through 2013.
- Later Pepper coached for the Bills (14), Jets (15/16), in the AAF with the Memphis Express (2019), and briefly with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL (2020).
- In 2021 Pepper coached for IMG Academy in Florida.
ACCOLADES:
- Pepper is a two time Pro Bowler (90/94).
- First team All-Pro (90).
- Two time Super Bowl champion as player (XXI, XXV).
- Three time Super Bowl champion as coach (XXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX)
NOTES:
Pepper’s given name is Thomas. His nickname came from his habit of sprinkling pepper on his cereal as a child.
Pepper’s time in the XFL as a defensive coach lasted just one game as defensive coordinator of the Wildcats in 2020. He was fired after the team allowed 4 TD passes against the Houston Roughnecks in their season opener.
| TAC | SAC | FUM | INT | YDS | AVG | TD | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1030 | 25.5 | 3 | 14 | 188 | 13.4 | 2 | 39T |