Philadelphia – Brandon Graham, author of the most impactful play in Eagles franchise history, announced his retirement Tuesday after 15 seasons in the NFL.
Graham, the first pick from Michigan in 2010, spent his entire career in Philadelphia. He holds team records for most regular season games played (206), third and third in the sack (76.5). The two Lombardi Trophy he helped were placed on both sides of him when he emotionally read his farewell speech in the team’s auditorium.
“You know you gave me everything I had to this,” Graham said. “I have no regrets.
“Fifteen years ago I walked to this city as a young man with a dream – big dreams – I was a little nervous, and there were many fires in my mind, I didn’t know what this journey would bring.
His Tom Brady strip sack at the closing moment of Super Bowl LII secured a narrow victory over New England patriots and delivered the first Lombardi Trophy to the city of Philadelphia.
He raised Graham to Philadelphia iconic status, starting slowly, mainly due to injuries, and then marked the pinnacle of his turnaround after being labeled bust early in his career.
Graham gave a big smile when the play grew up.
“It’s always going to be good. Michigan guy against another Michigan guy,” he said. “It was a big moment in my career, and it was like things were beginning to get even better from that point on.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie praised Graham for “many memorable moments” he offered to the franchise and its fans.
“Brandon Graham is the embodiment of everything you want in the Eagle in Philadelphia.” said in a statement. “…it was the way he played the game and the way he won him the love and respect of his coaches, teammates and fans.”
Graham made his only Pro Bowl in 2020, recording his first double-digit sack campaign in 2022, with 11 takedowns. This past season was initially considered a sort of retirement tour, but he took on an expanded role under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and was the team’s most productive edge rusher early in the season.
Graham announced he tore his triceps with the Los Angeles Rams in late November and then missed the rest of the season in the locker room.
However, he quietly rehabilitated behind the scenes and managed to return to the team’s decisive Super Bowl LIX victory.
“If I didn’t go back to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn’t be here now,” he said. “I promise you, I beg you to come back, but I was happy to get it back to play with my peers.
“I was able to be a part of it. That was everything I needed to know. I feel like my prayers are answered and I can go back one last time and be with the boy.”
