“I hope I’ve made you proud”: Eagles’ Brandon Graham announces retirement

PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Brandon Graham has officially announced his retirement.

Graham held a press conference at noon Tuesday at NovaCare Complex in South Philadelphia where he read a speech in front of his fellow players, coaches, family, friends, and members of the media.

Graham started off his speech fighting back tears. “First, I just want to say thank you to everybody,” Graham said. “But, y’all know I gave everything I had, everything I had in this, and I have no regrets. That’s one thing I tell my boy, don’t have any regrets.”

Throughout his speech, teary-eyed Graham thanked his team and the City of Philadelphia for everything they gave him these past 15 seasons.

“My life, my entire life has been forever changed because of this magical place,” Graham remarked. “I didn’t know how many times I would be tested, I didn’t know how much I would grow, and I surely didn’t know how deeply I would fall in love with the fans, the team, and this city.”

Thanking the Eagles organization, Graham said, “You gave me the chance to become the player I always dreamed of. More than that, you helped me say you helped shape me into the man I am today.”

In a special address to Philadelphia, Graham said, “We didn’t start so tight… You made me work for this and I appreciate you for that. Through the struggles, the injuries, and the moments where I had to prove myself over and over again, you never let me get comfortable, you held me accountable, you kept that chip on my shoulder, you pushed me to be better, and when the time came, we celebrated together two times,” Graham said. “This city is built on hard work, resilience, and unmatched passion, and you bring the same energy to every game, every moment, and every season. Your loyalty, your fire, and your unwavering support mean everything to me and this organization. Philly doesn’t just support this team, it lives for them. And I see it, and I feel it, and I appreciate every single one of you. Thank you for being the heartbeat of this city.”

“This game has changed my life but more importantly, this city has changed my life. It has given me a purpose far beyond football and has shown me what it means to be a leader, to be a friend, to be a man of faith, and have integrity,” he continued.

Graham ended his speech by saying, “While my time on the field is coming to an end, my love for this team and city will never fade. Philadelphia and everybody from the bottom of my heart I just want to thank you all. E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles! Fly, Eagles fly. My last one. B.G. out, baby.”

Graham was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was a college football player at the University of Michigan.

Throughout his 15-season career in the NFL, Graham achieved 76.5 sacks (third in franchise history), 487 total tackles, 126 for a loss, 153 QB hits, and 22 forced fumbles in 206 regular-season games played, according to NFL.com.

“Without question, Brandon Graham is the embodiment of everything you would want in a Philadelphia Eagle. He’s a special player and a special person. It’s only fitting that he has played in more games than anyone else in the history of our franchise.” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO, in a statement.

“Over the course of his 15-year career, he produced so many memorable moments, both on and off the field. His 76.5 sacks are the third-highest total ever by an Eagle and, of course, he will forever be remembered for his game-changing play in Super Bowl 52, but it was the way he played the game and the way he carried himself that earned him the love and respect of his coaches, teammates, and fans. The positive energy he brought every day was infectious, whether it was a practice, a game, or just walking around the building. Anyone who has had the pleasure of interacting with him would tell you that it’s impossible to have a bad day after being in his presence. Make no mistake, he was also a tough, physical, and talented player who has played an integral role in the success we’ve had over the years.” Lurie continued.

“In addition to being one of our all-time greats on the field, Brandon has always represented this organization and the City of Philadelphia with exemplary leadership, integrity, and class. Along with his trademark smile and warm demeanor, he treats everyone with respect and has been incredibly giving of himself to others, which is among the many reasons why he was a two-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee. Of all the things that make him special though, it is Brandon’s character and gracious nature that have always stood out to me the most. We could not be prouder of the player, person, and family man that Brandon has become. Although Brandon is officially retiring as a player, we know that his impact on our team will continue to be felt for many years to come, whether it is through the culture he helped build or his future endeavors. On behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, we congratulate Brandon on an incredible career and wish him and his family all the best in retirement,” Lurie continued.