Eagles DE Brandon Graham, will pass David Akers for most games played in team history this Sunday when he takes the field for his 189th game. A long and improbable road to becoming Philly Royalty.
Once called a bust, the Eagles’ defensive end, Brandon did not start winning over the city of Philadelphia until his 4th year with the team. He is beloved now, a legend, affectionately known by 2 letters B.G., and after making, arguably, the most important play in Eagles’ history, he cemented his status as an all-time Eagles great.
With 2:09 remaining in Super Bowl 52, B.G., a player hardly mentioned heading into the big game despite being fresh off the best regular season of his eight-year career with 9.5 sacks, made the strip seen around the world.
The Eagles went on to win their first Super Bowl.
Now, at 35 years old, playing in his 14th season with the Eagles, Brandon is the elder statesman. The current longest-tenured Philadelphia Eagle and also the longest-tenured professional athlete in the entire city. One who is aware of his legacy and strives to be remembered for more than one play.
“I just want people to talk about how hard I played on the field, and I was as selfless as I could be. I think I would want people to say he went about it the right way.”
He has accepted and thrived in his role as a leader and mentor while playing fewer snaps. He knows that his time in the NFL is coming to an end and that people have started to count him out due to his age. Brandon has accepted the challenge while laying the foundation for the young players in the locker room.
“I enjoy when they do that. Just makes me want to just work harder. When you got that respect in the room in the building I try not to take that for granted”
His love of the game, desire, and passion to win are fueling another NFL Championship run, and he is not taking it for granted.
“I’m soaking it all up one day at a time. I’m more so trying to finish the deal on this season. End it off right, coming off a Super Bowl.”
Despite being a team Captain, leader, mentor, and Super Bowl Champion Brandon continues to show gratitude for the game and city he loves while also acknowledging the early struggles in his career.
“The team that we have right now. So lucky, so fortunate to be on this team You want to play this long but being with the same team, being part of this organization has been nothing but fun, these last eight years I’d say,”
With the recent release of Derek Barnett, B.G. is one of only six Eagles who remain from their Super Bowl 52 Championship team. If this is truly the end of his time in the NFL, there is only one way fitting for a legend of his status to go out.
“We are going to win another one for you guys”
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
