Two-time Super Bowl winner, Brandon Graham, has announced his retirement from NFL.
A man that has given his soul to the Philadelphia Eagles over 15 gruelling years, the legend that is Brandon Graham has finally announced his retirement after much speculation.
It has been an offseason of big-name departures so far for the Eagles, as they appear to be desperately creating space in their salary cap for vital contract negotiations with players who are nearing the end of their rookie contracts – such as the devastating Jalen Carter.
Names such as Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Josh Sweat, Oren Burks, Mekhi Becton… the list rumbles on.
However, it will be Brandon Graham who will leave the biggest hole in the hearts of the Philadelphia faithful.
Forever an Eagle
Graham epitomised everything that the city of Philadelphia craves in a player. The 36 year-old defensive end summed it up to perfection in one line during his final press conference when he stated: “I gave it everything I have.”
Words mean nothing without action, but Graham backed up his words with literal blood, sweat and tears – tearing his bicep for a second time in the space of a few months as he won his second Super Bowl with the franchise.
Selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2010 Draft with the 10th overall pick, the Michigan graduate firmly solidified himself as the foundation which has manufactured the most successful era in the teams history.
During his 15 years in Philadelphia, Graham stuffed a stat sheet that any aspiring NFL defensive lineman should be desperate replicate – 485 tackles, 357 solo tackles, 76.5 sacks and 23 forced fumbles over 206 games.
Despite all of the numbers, there will be one moment that will stand alone above all of the memorable highlights that number 55 has given fans during his sensational career – the unbelievable strip sack on Tom Brady that secured Super Bowl LII for the Eagles.
Brandon Graham is not just a living legend of the sport, but a fantastic human being – founding the Brandon Graham Foundation and playing a vital role in the growth of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
He will be etched into Philadelphia folklore until the end of time. Thank you, Brandon Graham.
