The defending NFL champions Philadelphia Eagles, are aiming to repeat their success from last season, and to do so, they’ll need a roster that meets the challenge. Unfortunately for them, a key player from Jalen Hurts‘ squad, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has officially announced his retirement and will no longer play professionally.
After 15 consecutive seasons with the Eagles, legendary player Brandon Graham has announced his retirement from professional football. The defensive end, who lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy twice, was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020.
The news was announced by NFL insider Mike Garafolo, who, through his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealed the decision of one of the most successful players for the franchise in recent years.
“Eagles DE Brandon Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion, six-time captain, Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro, is announcing his retirement after 16 seasons. The 13th overall pick in 2010 became an all-time franchise great: ‘I don’t have no regrets.’,” the insider reported via @MikeGarafolo.
Graham joined the Eagles from the Michigan Wolverines after being selected in the 2010 NFL Draft. The defensive end was picked 13th overall in the first round.
Graham, a winner in Philadelphia
With Graham’s retirement news confirmed, the Philadelphia Eagles witness one of the most successful players in franchise history call it a career in professional sports.
The defensive end is part of an exclusive group of players who managed to win the Super Bowl twice with their team. The other three players who achieved this feat are Rick Lovato, Lane Johnson, and Jake Elliott.
The first of those victories came in early 2018, when Doug Pederson’s Eagles defeated the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, 41-33. It was in that game that the famous ‘Philly Special’ was born.
On February 9th, the team led by Nick Sirianni showed no mercy against Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs, sealing their second Super Bowl ring with a 40-22 victory. Graham re-tore his triceps during the game and had to undergo surgery once again.