A Philadelphia favorite is flying into the sunset as a Super Bowl champion.
Brandon Graham, a member of each of the Philadelphia Eagles franchise's Super Bowl-winning teams, announced Tuesday that he is retiring after 15 seasons -- all with Philly.
"To Philadelphia, we didn't start so tight as you know. You made me work for this and I appreciate you for that," Graham said in conclusion to the announcement of his retirement. "Through the struggles, the injuries and moments, I had to prove myself again. You never let me get comfortable. You held me accountable. You kept that chip on my shoulder. You pushed me to be better and when the time came, we celebrated together, two times. This city is built off hard work, resilience and unmatched passion. You bring the same energy to every game, every moment and every season. Your loyalty, your fire and unwavering support mean everything to me and this organization. Philly doesn't just support its teams, it lives for them and I see it and I feel it. I appreciate every single one of you and thank you for being the heartbeat of this city.
"This game has changed my life, but more importantly this city has changed my life. It has given me a purpose far beyond football. It has shown me what it means to be a leader, a friend, a man of faith and integrity. While my time on the field is coming to an end, my love for this team and city will never fade. Philadelphia and everybody from the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank y'all. E-A-G-L-E-S. Eagles! Fly, Eagles Fly. BG out, baby!"
Graham's career concludes with 76.5 sacks (third in franchise history), 487 total tackles, 126 for a loss, 153 QB hits and 22 forced fumbles in 206 regular-season games played -- the most in club chronicle.
Of course, his legacy will be forever linked with being part of three Eagles Super Bowl appearances and the club's two Lombardi Trophy-winning bids.
After tearing his triceps in Week 12 of the 2024 regular season, Graham, 36, feared that not only his season, but his career was over. He was able to heal up in time to help the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, in which he registered a tackle and played only 13 snaps but aided in authoring a defensive masterpiece for Philadelphia.
"If I ain't make it back to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn't be up here right now," Graham said. "I promise you, I'd be begging to come on back one more. But I was happy to be able to make it back to play with my guys, to put that uniform on one last time in a big moment, big stage."
It was in the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl triumph that Graham composed a moment that will forever live on in Philadelphia sports lore. With the Eagles clinging to a 38-33 lead over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, Graham strip-sacked Tom Brady with 2:09 left in the ballgame. The ball was recovered by Derek Barnett and led to a Jake Elliott field goal for a 41-33 lead that would stand as the final score and send Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl celebration.
Graham earned his sole Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and posted his only double-digit-sack season in 2022 with 11. He was a constant over the autumns, though, offering a pass-rush punch off the bench or in the starting lineup.
After he inked a one-year deal with the Eagles for the second consecutive offseason this past year, a retirement had been in the making for a while now, but the midseason injury seemed to seal the end of his career. However, the Eagles were off and running en route to New Orleans and a Super Bowl berth.
In the two weeks leading up to the big game, Graham's potential return became a prevailing storyline before it became a reality.
Graham is the latest Philly defender from the Super Bowl LIX victory who will not return to the team in 2025 (Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Oren Burks, Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson ).
Taken out of Michigan with the 13th overall selection of the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham became the Eagles franchise's longest-tenured player of all time.
Along with Elliott, Lane Johnson and Rick Lovato, he is one of four Eagles to take part in both of the franchise's Super Bowl wins.
An Eagle for the ages, Graham is going out on his terms and going out as a champion.
