On Tuesday, former Michigan Wolverines and Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive lineman Brandon Graham, officially announced retirement from the NFL. Graham is widely considered among the best defensive linemen in school history and was a fixture on Philadelphia’s defense for well over a decade.
“BG” was a first-team All-American and All-Big Ten selection in 2009, and was a second-team Big Ten nod in 2008. Over those two seasons, Graham recorded 110 tackles, 46 tackles for loss (leading the conference each year) and 20.5 sacks. He finished his time in Ann Arbor second in school history in sacks with 29.5, trailing only Mark Messner (36).
Graham retires from the pros as a two-time Super Bowl champion (2017, 2024) and is the team’s all-time leader in games played (206). He was one of Philadelphia’s most vocal leaders for years and proved his toughness by returning from a torn tricep to play in Super Bowl LIX.
He played 15 seasons in the NFL, making a Pro Bowl in 2020 and the All-Pro second team in 2016. He had 76.5 sacks (third in franchise history) and was perhaps best known for his trash talk in the trenches.
Throughout his career, Graham could be heard on mic’d ups or even live broadcasts giving it to opposing offensive players. Former Eagles offensive lineman Fred Johnson once told CBS all about Graham’s antics:
“BG trash-talks everyone. Everybody, especially when we’re walking inside to the locker room…So we walk in [the locker room], and he was trash-talking for no reason. I’m like ‘BG, what are you doing!’ He just laughed and did that ‘ha-ha’ he always does. He goes back ‘I do this every day.’”
Graham was the 13th overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft and came into Philadelphia with massive expectations. However, it was not always a smooth transition to the pros. He made just 13 starts over his first five seasons and his underwhelming sack total of 17 left Eagles fans wanting more. While they are a demanding fan base, the criticism was not without validity. Safety Earl Thomas and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul were selected directly after Graham and he was the subject of comparisons.
However, he finally found his footing in 2015, starting in 10 games and compiling 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. From that point on, Graham was a constant disruptive force and ended his career as one of the best players in Philadelphia’s history.
Graham will forever be known as a Michigan Man and a relentless competitor. Best of luck to BG in retirement.