Jabrill Peppers is an American football safety for the New England Patriots. A standout player at the University of Michigan, he earned unanimous All-American honors and was recognized as a top defensive player. Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017, Peppers has also played for the New York Giants during his NFL career.
The Big Ten Conference introduced the Special Teams Player of the Week award in 1994, recognizing outstanding performances in special teams play.
Jabrill Ahmad Peppers was born on October 4, 1995. This event marks the beginning of his life.
In a tragic event in January 2010, Jabrill Peppers' older brother, Don Curtis, was shot and killed at the Lucky Joy Restaurant in Newark, New Jersey.
In 2010, Jabrill Peppers and his team at Don Bosco Preparatory High School achieved victory, clinching the New Jersey state championship.
Jabrill Peppers continued his winning streak in 2011, securing a second consecutive New Jersey state championship with Don Bosco. Their exceptional performance earned them the top ranking in the nation by USA Today.
The Big Ten Conference expanded its individual award recognition program in 2011, aiming to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding achievements by student-athletes in a wider range of categories.
After transferring to Paramus Catholic High School, Jabrill Peppers continued his winning ways, leading the Paladins to a state championship victory over Bergen Catholic in 2012.
On May 26, 2013, Jabrill Peppers, a highly sought-after five-star recruit, publicly announced his commitment to play football for the University of Michigan Wolverines, marking a significant step in his athletic career.
In 2013, Jabrill Peppers showcased his speed and athleticism at the New Jersey Meet of Champions. He set a new record in the 100-meter dash for the Non-Public Class A division with a time of 10.77 seconds. Peppers also triumphed in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes, a feat achieved by only one other athlete before him.
Jabrill Peppers's exceptional junior season at Paramus Catholic earned him the title of Player of the Year by MSG Varsity in 2013. His talent also earned him a place in the prestigious 2013–14 Under Armour All-America Game.
Jabrill Peppers entered the University of Michigan in 2014 as one of the most highly regarded recruits in his class, drawing significant attention and expectations for his college football career.
Jabrill Peppers' father, Terry Peppers, was released from prison in 2014 after serving a sentence related to racketeering charges stemming from his involvement with the Bloods street gang.
Jabrill Peppers had a remarkable freshman year at Michigan in 2015, earning him the title of Big Ten Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year. His exceptional performance also led to his selection for the All-Big Ten defensive first-team and recognition as a Second-team All-American by prominent sports publications.
Jabrill Peppers delivered a standout performance against Colorado on September 17, 2016. His efforts earned him the Walter Camp FBS Player of the Week award and recognition as both the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week.
In 2016, Jabrill Peppers achieved unanimous All-American honors, a testament to his exceptional skills on the football field. He also earned the titles of Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Linebacker of the Year, and Return Specialist of the Year, showcasing his versatility and dominance in multiple positions.
Jabrill Peppers made history in 2016 by becoming the first player in Big Ten history to receive three individual honors in a single season since the conference expanded its awards program in 2011. These awards included the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, and Rodgers-White Return Specialist of the Year.
On January 10, 2017, Jabrill Peppers made the significant decision to enter the 2017 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining two years of college eligibility to pursue a professional career in football.
On March 6, 2017, Jabrill Peppers signed a multi-year endorsement deal with sportswear giant Adidas.
On April 25, 2017, it was reported that Jabrill Peppers received a positive drug test result from a sample taken at the NFL Combine. However, it was later clarified that the positive result was due to a diluted sample, attributed to Peppers drinking a large amount of water and experiencing illness before the Combine.
On July 22, 2017, Jabrill Peppers officially signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Browns, solidifying his place in the NFL.
Jabrill Peppers's professional football career began in 2017 when he was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns, marking his entry into the NFL.
On December 31, 2017, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jabrill Peppers recorded four solo tackles, broke up a pass, and made his first career interception, though the Browns still lost 28-24. His interception came in the first quarter, off a pass attempt by quarterback Landry Jones.
In the 2017 NFL Draft, Jabrill Peppers was selected in the first round as the 25th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, marking the beginning of his professional football journey.
In 2018, Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams made the decision to move Jabrill Peppers to the strong safety position after the Browns' trade for Damarious Randall. Peppers competed with Derrick Kindred for the starting strong safety spot.
On March 13, 2019, the New York Giants acquired Jabrill Peppers in a trade that sent Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns also received Kevin Zeitler and two draft picks in the exchange.
Jabrill Peppers suffered a transverse process fracture during Week 11 of the 2019 season, in a game against the Chicago Bears. As a result of the injury, the Giants placed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 7, 2019.
On April 29, 2020, the New York Giants made the decision to exercise the fifth-year option on Jabrill Peppers' contract, guaranteeing him $6.77 million for the 2021 season.
During the 2020 NFL season, Jabrill Peppers was fined $11,301 by the league for a hit on quarterback Kyle Allen that resulted in an injury. The incident occurred during a game between the Giants and the Washington Football Team, a game which the Giants won 23-20. Notably, Peppers also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in the same game.
Jabrill Peppers suffered a torn ACL and a high ankle sprain during Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season, leading to the New York Giants placing him on injured reserve on October 26, 2021.
In 2021, Jabrill Peppers was chosen to serve as a captain for the Giants' special teams unit, highlighting his leadership and value to the team.
Jabrill Peppers signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots on April 4, 2022, joining his fourth NFL team.
On March 17, 2023, Jabrill Peppers re-signed with the New England Patriots on a two-year deal, indicating the team's belief in his abilities. He also decided to change his jersey number from 3 to 5.
Jabrill Peppers secured a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the New England Patriots on July 26, 2024, demonstrating his value to the team and his commitment to their future.
Jabrill Peppers was arrested on October 5, 2024, in Braintree, Massachusetts, on multiple charges, including assault and battery on a family member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance believed to be cocaine. The arrest stemmed from an incident where Peppers allegedly assaulted his girlfriend multiple times.
Following Jabrill Peppers' arrest, the New England Patriots initially attributed his absence from the team's October 6, 2024, game to a shoulder injury. However, the subsequent revelation of his arrest on serious charges contradicted this explanation.
On October 7, 2024, news broke that Jabrill Peppers had been arrested for assault and battery of a female and possession of cocaine. This incident cast a shadow over his career and future with the Patriots.