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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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Philadelphia Eagles star and Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham has announced his retirement from the NFL. Graham has played all 15 seasons with the Eagles, and is now walking away with his second ring.
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Graham has been one of the most stalwart and solid defensive ends for the Eagles throughout his career. With 82 total sacks and 24 forced fumbles, he has been one of the most disruptive defenders in the league.
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Graham was drafted by the Eagles at No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Michigan.
While with the Wolverines from 2006 to 2009, Graham became a machine as a pass rusher. He secured a total of 29.5 sacks through four seasons, securing at least 10 sacks in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Graham also led the conference in 2008 with 20 tackles for loss, and coupled that with leading the entire FBS with 29 tackles for loss in 2009. The star defensive end was already making a name for himself, and was then drafted by the Eagles.
As a member of the Eagles in his rookie season in 2010, Graham made an immediate impact. He would appear in 13 games, securing 13 total tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Graham might have had bigger numbers, but he tore his ACL in Dec. 2010. He would miss most of the 2011 season, only appearing in three games while he recovered from the season-ending injury.
In 2012, Graham came back with full force, appearing in 16 games, and securing 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 38 total tackles.
Graham would spend the next few seasons appearing in 16 games, though he did not start them all. It wasn't until the 2016 season when he started all 16, and worked his way into an All-Pro nod by securing 5.5 sacks, 59 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and 15 tackles for loss.
Graham's best season was in 2022 when he secured 11 sacks and 35 total tackles, earning a nomination for Comeback Player of the Year. The star defensive end suffered his second torn ACL in 2021, and missed most of the season.
All in all, Graham secured 82 total sacks in his career, and was a consummate pro with the Eagles. Despite injuries, and almost signing elsewhere in free agency — he would return to give it his all with the team.
Graham also revealed he retore his triceps in Super Bowl LIX, proving again that he has left it all on the field. He stated the game was his final bow:
"If I didn't make it back to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn't be up here right now. I promise you I'd be begging to come on back one more. But I was happy to be able to make it back to play with my guys, to put that uniform on one last time in a big moment, big stage."
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