Brandon Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion, retires after 15 seasons with Philadelphia Eagles … [+]
Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl hero Brandon Graham’s “farewell tour” is officially over after he announced his retirement Tuesday.
Graham, a six-time team captain and one of the most popular players in franchise history, returned from a triceps injury last season to play in Super Bowl LIX, a dominant victory over Kansas City that prevented a Chiefs’ three-peat.
A defensive end who played all 15 of his seasons in Philadelphia, Graham holds the franchise record for playing in the most regular-season games (206) and ranks third all time in sacks (76.5).
But one play — one indelible moment — immortalized Graham in Philly sports lore forever. In Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, he made the biggest play of the game when he strip-sacked quarterback Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter to seal the Eagles’ win of their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.
Let’s go back to Graham’s legendary play and enjoy it in super slow-mo:
Graham, with tears shining his eyes and flanked by two Lombardi trophies, praised his parents for their sacrifices that paved his way to the NFL and also thanked the organization and the City of Brotherly Love that “changed my life.” He said of playing in Philly, “It has given me a purpose far beyond football. It has shown me what it means to be a leader, to be a friend, to be a man of faith, and to have integrity.”
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie thanked Graham for the “many memorable moments” he gave the organization and its loyal fanbase. Lurie said in a statement, “Brandon Graham is the embodiment of everything you want in a Philadelphia Eagle… It was the way he played the game and the way he carried himself that earned him the love and respect of his coaches, teammates and fans.”
Brandon Graham forces Tom Brady to fumble during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank … [+]
Back in late November, it looked like Graham’s season — and his career — were over when he tore his triceps against the Los Angeles Rams. He said after the game that he would miss the remainder of the season. But he quietly rehabbed and returned for the team’s blowout Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs, putting a bow onto one of the most magnificent careers in Birds’ history.
Graham, who was selected 13th overall in the 2010 NFL draft by the Eagles, is one of four players in team history to win two Super Bowls, along with right tackle Lane Johnson, kicker Jake Elliott and long snapper Rick Lovato.
