Brandon Graham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Brandon Graham

Graham with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017
No. 54, 55
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1988-04-03) April 3, 1988 (age 37) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	Crockett (Detroit)
College:	Michigan (2006–2009)
NFL Draft:	2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
Philadelphia Eagles (2010)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (LII, LIX) Second-team All-Pro (2016) Pro Bowl (2020) Big Ten Most Valuable Player (2009) First-team All-American (2009) First-team All-Big Ten (2009) Second-team All-Big Ten (2008)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 487 Sacks: 76.5 Forced fumbles: 22 Fumble recoveries: 7 Pass deflections: 11 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Brandon Lee Graham (born April 3, 1988) is a former American football player. He spent his entire 15-year career as a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. In 2009, he was named an All-American. The Eagles chose Graham in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 13th player picked overall.

In high school, Brandon was a highly praised linebacker. He was a captain for the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Many lists named him an All-American. He was also a finalist for top high school football awards.

In 2009, Graham was the co-MVP of the Big Ten Conference. He led the nation in tackles for a loss per game in 2009. He also led the Big Ten in tackles for loss in both 2008 and 2009. During his college career at Michigan, he had 29.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss. He was named MVP of the 2010 Senior Bowl.

Brandon Graham was a second-team All-Pro in 2016. He was also chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2020. He led the Philadelphia Eagles in sacks with 9.5 during their 2017 season. Graham made one of the most important plays in Eagles history. He forced a fumble from Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. This play helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl. He was also part of the team that won Super Bowl LIX in 2024. Graham played more games (218) and seasons (15) for the Eagles than any other player. He announced his retirement from football on March 18, 2025.

Early Life and High School Football

Brandon Graham grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He started playing football at age seven for the Police Athletic League Detroit Giants. He later joined his eighth-grade team. He went to Crockett Vocational Tech high school. His high school football team did not have a proper locker room or lights for their field. Parents would shine their car lights for late practices.

As a sophomore, Graham was expected to make a big impact. He was recognized as an honorable mention lineman in 2003. As a junior, he played linebacker, offensive guard, placekicker, and punter. He helped his team reach the state championships. Crockett won the Detroit Public School League Division 1 championship. They had a 12–0 record before losing in the state semifinals. Graham had 91 tackles (20 for a loss) that year. He also had a 3.8 grade point average. In one game, he made 12 tackles, four sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was named to the first-team Class B all-state team as a linebacker.

Many scouting services ranked Graham as a top high school player. Rivals.com called him the best prospect in Michigan in 2006. They also said he was the second-best inside linebacker in the nation. Scout.com listed him as the third-best linebacker nationally. ESPNU ranked him as the second-best inside linebacker.

Before his senior year, The Detroit News named him the best high school player in Michigan. He was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2006. He was also a finalist for the Parade All-America High School player of the year award. This award is like the Heisman Trophy for high school players. Graham was elected captain of the East team at the All-American Bowl. He recorded four tackles and blocked a field goal in the game. He led his team to an undefeated regular season as a senior. He was named the Associated Press Class B All-State player of the year.

Graham accidentally broke a Michigan state rule by playing in an out-of-state all-star game. This meant he could not play other sports in high school that winter and spring. During this time, he gained weight. He had been recruited as a linebacker, but with the extra weight, he moved to defensive end. As he lost the weight, he realized he could be great at a lighter weight.

Graham received many awards for his athletic skills. These included Parade Magazine All-American and Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year. He was the first player from Michigan to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Brandon Graham LB	Detroit, Michigan	Crockett Vocational Tech (MI)	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	250.5 lb (113.6 kg)	4.65	Feb 20, 2005
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 86
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 3 (LB)   Rivals: 15, 2 (ILB), 1 (MI)  ESPN: 31, 2 (ILB)
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources:

College Football Career

Graham played for the University of Michigan Wolverines in college.

Playing for Lloyd Carr

When Graham arrived at Michigan, he weighed about 295 pounds. He was first listed as a linebacker. But before the 2006 season, he switched to defensive end. Graham was one of five freshmen to play in the first game. He was a backup to star player LaMarr Woodley. Graham made his first tackle and sack in November 2006.

In 2007, Graham was given a perfect 99 rating in the NCAA 2008 EA Sports video game. This was unusual because even his famous teammates did not get this rating. At the start of training camp, he was expected to be a starter. He led the team in sacks with 8.5. He was also second in forced fumbles with 3.

Playing for Rich Rodriguez

Graham worked hard on his fitness before the 2008 season. This pleased the new head coach, Rich Rodriguez. Graham started the 2008 season as a candidate for the Hendricks Award. On September 27, Graham had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Wisconsin Badgers. He was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Graham finished the season with 10 sacks. He led the Big Ten with 20 tackles for a loss. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Graham in the first wave as the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team storms into Michigan Stadium

Graham during coin toss with Tim Hiller and teammates Carlos Brown, Zoltan Mesko and Mark Ortmann.

Theo Riddick carries the ball as Graham breaks through the line during 2009 Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry game.

Graham on 2009 Fan Day

Graham was on many watch lists for top awards before the 2009 season. He was chosen by ESPN as the 10th best player in the Big Ten. He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award as the Big Ten co-MVP. He was the first defensive player in eight years to win this award. He led the nation with 2.17 tackles for a loss per game. He also had 10.5 sacks, which was fourth in the Big Ten. He ended his Michigan career with 9 tackles for losses in his last two games. Graham was named the team MVP again, making him the first defensive player at Michigan to win MVP twice. He also earned MVP honors at the 2010 Senior Bowl.

Professional Football Career

At the NFL Combine, Graham was among the top defensive linemen. The Philadelphia Eagles picked Graham in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 13th player chosen overall. He was the first defensive player and first Big Ten player picked in that draft. He chose to wear number 54 for the Eagles.

Graham pressures Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning during a 2010 game

On July 29, 2010, the Eagles signed Graham to a five-year contract. He started as a defensive end for the team. He made his first professional start against the Green Bay Packers. The next week, he got his first career sack against the Detroit Lions. On December 12, 2010, Graham tore a ligament in his knee. He had surgery on his right knee. He missed the rest of the 2010 season and most of the 2011 season while recovering.

In the 2012 season, Graham played in all 16 games. He had 5.5 sacks and 38 tackles. In 2013, he changed positions from defensive end to linebacker. He finished the 2013 season with three sacks. In 2014, he had 5.5 sacks and 47 tackles. His four forced fumbles that year were fourth best in the NFL.

In 2015, Graham signed a new contract to stay with the Eagles. He had 6.5 sacks and 51 tackles that season. In 2016, he moved back to defensive end. He had 59 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He was named to the 2016 All-Pro 2nd Team. He was also rated as one of the best players in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

In 2017, Graham had a career-high 9.5 sacks. He also had 47 tackles. During Super Bowl LII, he made a huge play. With only 2:21 left in the game, he forced a fumble from Tom Brady. His teammate recovered the ball. This play helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl, 41–33.

In 2018, Graham had ankle surgery. He still played in all 16 games, recording four sacks. In 2019, he signed a new contract with the Eagles. In one game, he sacked the quarterback three times. He finished the 2019 season with 8.5 sacks.

In the 2020 season, Graham had eight sacks. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the first time. He was also ranked among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.

Graham in January 2021

Graham signed another contract extension with the Eagles in March 2021. In Week 2 of the 2021 season, he tore his Achilles tendon. This injury ended his season early.

In the 2022 season, Graham had a great comeback. He recorded 2.5 sacks in one game and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Later in the season, he had three sacks in another game, earning the award again. Graham helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII. It was his second Super Bowl appearance. The Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.

On March 10, 2023, Graham re-signed with the Eagles. At that time, he was the longest-tenured player on the team. In 2023, he tied a team record for most seasons played as an Eagle with 14. He also broke the franchise record for most regular-season games played.

Graham signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles in March 2024. In Week 12, he tore his triceps. This injury caused him to miss the rest of the 2024 season. However, he was able to return for Super Bowl LIX. In Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles won 40–22 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Graham was one of only four players to be on both Eagles Super Bowl-winning teams. He re-tore his triceps during the game and had surgery afterward.

On March 18, 2025, Brandon Graham announced his retirement from professional football.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Brandon Graham is a Christian. He is married to Carlyne Graham. In 2022, Graham sang on the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas.