Brandon Graham likely just played in his final game for the Eagles. Coming into the season Graham said that this would be his final year. It was looking like he would go out with a bang, having a resurgent year. But it tragically went awry when he tore his tricep against the Rams. He, and most others, assumed his season was finished. But it turns out he had 1 game left in him.
Graham got to play a small part in the Eagles 2nd ever Super Bowl win. 13 snaps, and 1 pressure. Not exactly the impact he had in the 1st Super Bowl, but it was still cool to see him out there 1 more time. Especially since that game is going to lead to a parade down Broad Street.
Related: 6 Numbers That Show How Dominant The Eagles Super Bowl Win Was
Still, it is all a little bittersweet. Because that parade very well may be the last thing he ever does as an Eagle. He would not confirm that this would be his last game when he spoke after the game, but he did speak like someone who just played his final game.
“If it is my last one, hell of a way to go out. I feel thankful. And I ain’t going nowhere. I’m going to be a part of the organization somehow.”- Brandon Graham
If it is, it was a hell of a career. He currently is the All-Time Leader for games played in an Eagles jersey. His 206 games are 13 more than Jason Kelce played. He is also 3rd All-Time on the Eagles sacks list. .5 ahead of Clyde Simmons, 8.5 behind Trent Cole, and 47.5 behind Reggie White (No one is ever touching what Reggie did.)
Graham is an All-Time Eagles great. And If that was truly his final game, let’s look back on some of the reasons Philly fell in love with him.
Here Are 3 Reasons We Love Brandon Graham
Among The All-Time Eagles Pass Rushers
I already mentioned that Graham passed Clyde Simmons, and currently has a half-sack lead for 3rd place all the time. What I did not say was he took that lead in the same game he tore his tricep.
The Rams game was shaking out to be his best game of the season, and one of his best games in a while. 4 pressures, 2 QB hits, a sack, and 2 Run Stops. He was taking over the game before he had to come out with the injury. It turns out that sack will be his last in an Eagles jersey. But for a brief moment, we got a reminder of how great Brandon Graham was.
It was just one of many for BG. He had a 3 sack game against the Jets. He had a 2.5 sack day against Carson Wentz when Wentz was the Commander’s QB. BG had so many big moments for the Eagles. We will get to the most iconic one in a bit.
All The Trash Talk
When Graham was not sacking QBs, he was most certainly running his mouth. Often times he talked trash in the midst of sacking a QB. No one talks trash like BG. O-Linemen all have stories of BG talking trash. Andrew Whitworth once said this about BG.
“He’ll walk out and say ‘whoa that belly bro. You ate way too much at team dinner.” He’s going to immediately create a mental thing–oh I need to re-fix my jersey…he knows exactly how to get under your skin”- Andrew Whitworth on This Is Football
BG is a character. His big personality is a big reason why people love him so much. Things got off to a rocky start with him and the city. But he eventually won everyone over.
The Strip Sack
But of course, the moment everyone will remember Brandon Graham for is the Strip Sack. Eagles were only up 5. Tom Brady had the ball with just over 2 minutes left and 1 timeout. Not exactly an incident where you feel 100% comfortable. The defense had struggled all game. Brady had over 460 passing yards and 3 TDs. But when the team needed a play the most, BG came through.
It is easily up there with the top 5 plays of all time alongside the Philly Special. It is the type of play that even decades later, people will bring up, or go back and watch. It is like “Stairs rips one into the night”, the AI stepover, or “Dr.J rocks the baby”.
It cemented him in Eagles lore forever. He might not ever go into the Hall of Fame. He might not have his number retired. But Brandon Graham will forever be an Eagles legend. And like he said, if this is it, what a way to go out.