By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-18 16:17:23 | Updated at 2025-03-20 05:10:49
1 day ago
Eagles Super Bowl winner Brandon Graham announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday in an emotional press conference.
After tearing his triceps in November - an injury which appeared to signal the end of his career - the 36-year-old Graham managed to return for his team's Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs.
However, the defensive end will now be stepping away from the game after all, as he shared with reporters from the Eagles facility.
'I gave everything I had in this,' he said tearfully. 'And I don't have no regrets.'
Graham could be seen hugging Eagles staff in attendance before delivering a heartfelt retirement speech, in which he called his Eagles teammates his 'brothers' and said he was 'overwhelmed with gratitude' for his 15 seasons in Philadelphia.
He also became emotional as he discussed his family, calling his wife his 'rock' and also thanking his parents for their support.
Brandon Graham delivered an emotional retirement press conference on Tuesday
Brandon Graham celebrates with the Lombardi Trophy after the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX
Graham returned to the field for the Super Bowl after tearing his triceps in November
'You poured everything in to me, your time, energy, your love... every step of the way you believed in me,' he said of his parents.
Graham ended his opening statement by performing the famous E-A-G-L-E-S chant and saying 'BG out.'
Earlier in the day, the Eagles posted a picture of him walking past Philadelphia's famous 'Rocky' statue - with a pair of green cleats hung up on it - and teased an announcement at noon.
The post to X included the quote: 'It's not how hard you hit, it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward — that's how winning is done.'
Before he returned to play one final game in New Orleans , it was believed Graham's career could be over then, as he spoke openly about the possibility of retirement after suffering the injury against the Rams.
'If I had to go out like this, I gave it everything out there on the field,' he told reporters . 'All I know is, they aint done with me yet. So Imma' make sure Imma' get out there and be the best leader I can be.
Even before Graham made his decision official on Tuesday, most fans interpreted the Eagles' post on Tuesday as a precursor to his retirement.
'One of the most underrated pass rushers of all time The numbers don't show it, but his impact on games can't be overstated. If that's it, salute, heck of a career,' one wrote.
"It's not how hard you hit, it's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward — that's how winning is done."
Stay tuned for an announcement from Brandon Graham at noon today. pic.twitter.com/E3aekfoYyA
'Thank you Brandon Graham. My all-time favorite Eagle!,' another added.
And a third said, 'Hanging the cleats up, he’s retiring, as he should. Thanks for everything BG.'
Graham, a first-round pick in 2010, has played all 15 of his NFL seasons with the Eagles.
He finished this regular season with 3.5 sacks in 11 games before suiting up in his squad's 40-22 demolition of Kansas City.
The Michigan product was also a significant contributor on the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning team during the 2017 season, finishing the year with 9.5 sacks before the team's memorable postseason run.
