PHILADELPHIA -- Brandon Graham, the author of the most impactful play in Eagles franchise history, announced his retirement Tuesday after 15 seasons in the NFL.
Graham, a first-round pick out of Michigan in 2010, spent his entire career in Philadelphia. He holds the team record for most regular-season games played (206) and is third all time in sacks (76.5).
Eagles owner Jeffrie Lurie praised Graham for the "many memorable moments" he provided the franchise and its fans.
"Brandon Graham is the embodiment of everything you want in a Philadelphia Eagle," Lurie said in a statement. "...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."
His strip sack of Tom Brady in the closing moments of Super Bowl LII helped secure a narrow win over the New England Patriots and delivered the first Lombardi Trophy to the city of Philadelphia.
That elevated him to icon status in Philly and marked the pinnacle of a turnaround after he was labeled a bust early in his career following a slow start largely due to injuries.
Graham tore his triceps in late November against the Los Angeles Rams and announced in the locker room afterward that he would miss the remainder of the season.
He quietly rehabbed behind the scenes, however, and was able to return for the team's decisive Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, providing the storybook ending to one of the most consequential careers in Eagles history.
