Eagles Super Bowl winner Brandon Graham announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday in an emotional press conference.
After suffering a triceps injury in November that initially seemed career-threatening, the 36-year-old Graham defied the odds by making a remarkable comeback to play in his team’s victory at Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs.
However, the defensive end will now be stepping away from the game after all, as he shared with reporters from the Eagles facility.
‘I gave everything I had in this,’ he said tearfully. ‘And I don’t have no regrets.’
During the retirement ceremony, Graham shared emotional moments by embracing the Eagles staff present and delivering a touching speech where he expressed deep gratitude towards his Eagles teammates, whom he referred to as his ‘brothers,’ and reminisced about his 15-year tenure in Philadelphia.
The Eagles also confirmed his retirement on social media, calling him ‘one of the best to ever wear the midnight green.’
Brandon Graham delivered an emotional retirement press conference on Tuesday
Graham celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy after the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX
One of the most touching moments came when Graham spoke about his family, particularly acknowledging his wife as his ‘rock’ and expressing heartfelt appreciation to his parents for their unwavering support throughout his career.
‘You poured everything in to me, your time, energy, your love… every step of the way you believed in me,’ he said of his parents.
Graham ended his opening statement by performing the famous E-A-G-L-E-S chant and saying ‘BG out.’
A first-round pick back in 2010, Graham was hampered by injuries early in his career and had just three sacks in his first two seasons.
On Tuesday, he acknowledged being labeled a ‘bust’ early in his NFL career before becoming one of the most beloved Eagles of all-time.
‘We didn’t start so tight,’ he said, addressing Eagles fans. ‘You made me work for this and I appreciate that.’
Graham retires as the longest-tenured Eagles player of all-time, and he singled out former Philly coach (and current Chiefs coach) Andy Reid for praise. Graham credited Reid, who coached him for his first three seasons, with telling him he ‘belonged’ during his early days in Philadelphia.
He added that he intends to sit down with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to work out how he can remain involved with the Eagles organization in some capacity, saying that he didn’t want to leave football ‘cold turkey.’
Earlier in the day, the Eagles posted a picture of him walking past Philadelphia’s famous ‘Rocky’ statue – with a pair of green cleats hung up on it to signify Graham’s impending retirement.
The post to X included the quote: ‘It’s not how hard you hit, it’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward — that’s how winning is done.’
Before he returned to play one final game in New Orleans, it was believed Graham’s career could be over following the triceps injury, as he spoke openly about the possibility of retirement after hurting himself against the Rams.
Graham is seen in 2010 after being drafted by the Eagles at No. 13 overall
Graham returned to the field for the Super Bowl after tearing his triceps in November
He celebrated with his family following the game, which proved to be the final one of his career
‘If I had to go out like this, I gave it everything out there on the field,’ he told reporters. ‘All I know is, they aint done with me yet. So Imma’ make sure Imma’ get out there and be the best leader I can be.
Graham said on Tuesday that he likely wouldn’t have retired if he wasn’t able to get healthy for the Super Bowl, before confirming reports that he actually re-tore his triceps in the championship
Even before Graham made his decision official on Tuesday, most fans interpreted the Eagles’ cleats-hanging post on Tuesday as a precursor to his retirement and sent messages of support for the fan favorite.
‘One of the most underrated pass rushers of all time The numbers don’t show it, but his impact on games can’t be overstated. If that’s it, salute, heck of a career,’ one wrote.
‘Thank you Brandon Graham. My all-time favorite Eagle!,’ another added.
And a third said, ‘Hanging the cleats up, he’s retiring, as he should. Thanks for everything BG.’
Graham has played all 15 of his NFL seasons with the Eagles.
He finished this past regular season with 3.5 sacks in 11 games before suiting up in his squad’s 40-22 demolition of Kansas City.
The Michigan product was also a significant contributor on the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team during the 2017 season, finishing the year with 9.5 sacks before the team’s memorable postseason run.
