Veteran Philly Footballer Brandon Graham Calls it a Career Following 15-Year Stint
Philadelphia's beloved football star, Brandon Graham, has officially called it a day after announcing his retirement from the NFL. Known for his tenacity and determination, Graham is one of the most decorated players in Eagles history, serving as a six-time team captain and leaving an indelible mark on the franchise.
Having spent all 15 seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, Graham holds the record for playing in the most regular-season games (206) and ranks third all time in sacks (76.5). But it's one dramatic play that solidified his status as an immortal figure in Philly sports lore—the strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII.
In the fourth quarter of that unforgettable game against the New England Patriots, an emotional Graham sealed the Eagles' victory and their first-ever Lombardi Trophy, teary-eyed with two trophies flanking him. Grateful for his parents' sacrifices and the organization that he credits for showing him the true meaning of leadership, friendship, and integrity, Graham ranks his time in Philadelphia as more than just a football career.
One of the most iconic moments in Eagles history repeated itself when Graham returned from a triceps injury to play in Super Bowl LIX—alas, preventing a Chiefs' three-peat and wrapping up a career deserving of any hall of fame. Drafted eleventh overall in the 2010 NFL draft, Graham is one of four players in Eagles history to win two Super Bowls, alongside regular teammates Lane Johnson, Jake Elliott, and long snapper Rick Lovato.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie paid tribute to Graham, appreciating the many memorable moments he brought to the organization and its passionate fanbase. Lurie expressed that Graham embodied everything one wants in a Philadelphia Eagle, admired for both his gameplay and character. Parting ways with a legend, Lurie concluded that Graham's career will leave an indelible impression on the hearts of Eagles fans for generations to come.
Accepting retirement from the NFL, Brandon Graham, a Philadelphian football legend, expressed his gratitude to the organization and his parents for shaping his leadership, friendship, and integrity. His career, marked by six-time team captaincy, several records, and two Super Bowl victories, will live on in the hearts of Eagles fans. In another emotional moment, Graham returned from a triceps injury to play in Super Bowl LIX, providing a symbolic ending to his prolific career.
