Steve Smith • Carolina Panthers

UPTOWN. Arguably one of the most popular players on the current Panthers squad (although QB Jake Delhomme might take exception to that), Smith is a cornerstone of the team's season-to-season success. The explosive player is a touchdown waiting to happen, and his highlight-reel runs and returns make him an easy fan fave. Julius Peppers, similarly popular, hails from Bailey, NC. He graduated from UNC (where he also played hoops) and has gone on to become one of the most celebrated defensive players in the history of the franchise. See Smith, Peppers, and Delhomme at their best at Bank of America Stadium, an open-air tribute to football and a place of reverence for Carolina football fans in two states.