Brandon Graham’s name has been etched into Philadelphia Eagles and Michigan football history. The defensive end spent 15 years with the Eagles. He was selected 13th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 and a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2016.
Graham’s name will not be forgotten any time soon. After all, Philadelphia won its first-ever Lombardi Trophy because of his strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. In addition, Graham has 76.5 career sacks and 487 tackles. However, despite the great games, Brandon Graham has decided to hang his Eagles uniform with two Super Bowl rings to his name.
Why Is Brandon Graham Bowing Out?
On Tuesday, Gramham went on to tell the world that his time on the field was ending. “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 his retirement speech.
On the one hand, it is understandable why this retirement has come. Graham has had a rather arduous journey riddled with injuries. In Week 12 of the 2024 season, he suffered a torn triceps, which could have been the end of the NFL for him. At 36, recovering was not a sure shot.
Despite this, he returned just in time for Super Bowl LIX. Talking about the same in his speech, Graham went on to add, “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.”
The two times are not just about the Eagles’ legacy but also about keeping the Michigan football streak alive. With his second Super Bowl win, he extended a pretty insane statistic: At least one former Michigan player has been on 20 of the last 22 Super Bowl-winning teams.
The streak started in 2004 with Brady leading the New England Patriots to a win over the Carolina Panthers. Over the years, other Michigan alums like Larry Foote, Marlin Jackson, Amani Toomer, and Frank Clark have maintained the streak. With wins in Super Bowls LII and LIX, Graham is now a part of that list. But Graham’s retirement speech was not just about injuries and goodbyes!
Graham was honest about everything. He even said, “If I ain’t make it back to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn’t be up here right now. 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.” Now that’s raw honesty, especially from someone whose best moment came from Super Bowl LII!
During Super Bowl LII, Graham made one of the most clutch defensive plays in NFL history. With just over two minutes remaining and the Eagles clinging to a five-point lead, he strip-sacked Brady. That play that won the Eagles’ first-ever Super Bowl win. That moment alone is going down as iconic in the Philadelphia sports lore.
KEEP READING: Future NFL TE Sheds Insight Into Sherrone Moore’s Approach to Michigan Football
Granham’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Eagles’ defense. With him gone, the Eagles will have to rebuild their defensive front, which has lost key figures in free agency.
To end his speech, Graham added, “This game has changed my life, but more importantly, this city has changed my life. It has given me a purpose far beyond football.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
