Philadelphia Eagles fans excitedly await news about the injury status of Brandon Graham entering Super Bowl LIX.
The 15-year veteran hopes to return from a tricep injury that typically takes 4-5 months of recovery time. Super Bowl Sunday falls only 11 weeks after he suffered the injury against the Los Angeles Rams on November 24. He had already announced 2024 as his final NFL season.
The heroic return from injury on an apparently freakish competitive timeline will live in Philadelphia folklore forever if the Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs with Graham on the field.
A similar storybook narrative probably should’ve already gotten the same type of glory 20 years ago.
Terrell Owens
Terrell Eldorado Owens stole the focus of the entire NFL in 2004. His All-Pro season pushed the Eagles to the peak of the Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid era, but his colorful antics and his dominance on the field came to a screeching halt in Week 15.
Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys ripped Owens down with a (clean) horse collar tackle (on the play that essentially convinced the NFL to create a new penalty). Owens broke his leg and tore a critical ligament in his right ankle seven weeks before Super Bowl Sunday.
The larger than life wide receiver quickly got the necessary surgical repairs and began an unprecedented rehabilitation process that started on a pool treadmill. He shared in 2023 that he doesn’t’ believe the speedy return would’ve been possible if he hadn’t prioritized newer methods of conditioning with offseason personal trainers in the years leading up to the injury.
T.O. spent time in a hyperbaric chamber to shorten his recovery process while the Eagles finally conquered their NFC Championship Game hurtle.
When push came to shove, Owens ignored conventional rehab standards and even signed a waiver to play in Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots.
Was he merely a decoy to draw the attention of the New England defense? He answered that question quickly with three catches for 46 yards in the first quarter, including a short crossing route that went for 30 yards to showcase his ability as arguably the best wide receiver in NFL history after the catch.
McNabb found Owens nine times for 122 yards on that fateful evening in Jacksonville. The unthinkable accomplishment reflects on one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history and the determination of a player who deserved a better fate.
Media Dismisses T.O. After Super Bowl XXXIX
Why isn’t the story of Terrell Owens in Super Bowl XXXIX constantly praised like a cliche sports movie? There’s a few reasons.
The Eagles lost 24-21 while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick celebrated their third Super Bowl in four seasons. Narratives don’t play as well in losing efforts.
Owens never fit the Brett Favre media darling persona. He had every right to point out the media inconsistencies after his performance in Super Bowl XXXIX.
“If Brett Favre (accomplished the same thing), they would have called him a warrior. For me, they said I was selfish. If I’m selfish, I’m selfish because I want to help my team win.” –Terrell Owens
T.O. also burnt bridges in Philadelphia afterwards. He played only seven more games with the Eagles and orchestrated a circus that spoiled the entire 2005 season. His legacy in Philadelphia and throughout the NFL is anything but spotless, for reasons both inside and outside his control.
The surrounding circumstances pushed an incredible story to the back of Eagles fans’ minds. Ultimately, the individual determination didn’t bring the franchise its first Lombardi Trophy.
Brandon Graham in Eagles Folklore
Dave Zangaro spoke on The Best Show Ever about how he believes Brandon Graham is “trending in the right direction” to play a rotational role for about 10-15 snaps in Super Bowl LIX.
Graham’s career with the Eagles already includes a future sports movie narrative. The 13th-overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft rallied from the “bust” label to make the most impactful play in franchise history. His strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII righted the wrongs of the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb era.
Will he somehow upstage the narrative with a remarkable return that rivals T.O.’s superhuman injury recovery?
“I didn’t know what to expect, honestly, but I’ve just been working every day, just doing extra work, making sure I’m not rushing it, but at the same time, just praying about it and just taking it day by day.” -Brandon Graham
The most passionate fans in sports glorify heroes like Brian Dawkins, Jason Kelce, and Nick Foles as the central characters in some of the best experiences of their lives. Many of them remember the good times with Terrell Owens in a similar way too.
They also have the toughness of Alshon Jeffery after the 2017 season and Lane Johnson after the 2022 season to appreciate.
However, if Brandon Graham plays a contributing role in a victory over the mighty Kansas City Chiefs, they’ll get to celebrate the storybook narrative of a sports warrior that never fully materialized with Terrell Owens. Even John Elway, Jerome Bettis, and Peyton Manning will have to tip their caps for the remarkable swan song.
Graham’s wide smile from ear to ear will draw in the attention in a postgame celebration for the age