He was twice honored by the Mississippi State Legislature—once for his playing career at USM and once for his achievements as a high school football coach in Ocean Springs.

He complimented his offensive performance with an interception on defense to help lift then Mississippi Southern to its first win against Alabama.

[1][2] Pepper was an explosive threat on the football field with an 8.2 career yards per carry average, still the school record.

Under the rules in place at that time, the Pirates were required to keep Pepper on their Major League Baseball roster.

Three days later he was optioned to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League in order to make room for Dick Hall.