History of Brandon Graham in Timeline

Brandon Graham is a retired American football defensive end who played his entire 15-year NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted in the first round (13th overall) in 2010, Graham was the first player selected from the Big Ten Conference that year. He achieved All-American status during his college football career at the University of Michigan, marking him as a highly promising talent before entering the professional league. He has become a celebrated player for the Eagles.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 3, 1988: Brandon Graham Born

On April 3, 1988, Brandon Lee Graham was born. He is an American former professional football defensive end.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Crockett Football Program Begins

In 1996, Crockett Vocational Tech, the school Brandon Graham attended, began participating in Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) football competitions.

2003: All-Detroit Selection

In 2003, Brandon Graham was recognized as an honorable mention lineman on the All-Detroit selection by The Detroit News.

2004: First-team All-Detroit team selection

In 2004, as a junior, Brandon Graham led his team to the MHSAA state championships and was named to the 2004 First-team All-Detroit team. He was also selected for the Associated Press first-team Class B all-state team as a linebacker.

2005: Detroit News No. 1 Blue Chip prospect

In 2005, Brandon Graham named the Detroit News No. 1 Blue Chip prospect

January 7, 2006: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Participation

On January 7, 2006, Brandon Graham participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, recording four tackles and blocking a field goal.

2006: Position Change at Michigan

In 2006, Brandon Graham arrived at Michigan, initially listed as a linebacker, but switched to defensive end before the season started. He played in the season opening game and served as a backup for LaMarr Woodley.

2006: U.S. Army All-American Bowl Captain

In 2006, Brandon Graham served as captain for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl during his high school career. He was also featured on All-American lists and considered for high individual honors.

2006: McDonald's-Powerade Tomorrow's Winners honoree

In 2006, Brandon Graham was recognized as one of ten top prep athletes in Michigan as a 2006 McDonald's-Powerade Tomorrow's Winners honoree at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame dinner.

2006: Top Prospect Ranking

In 2006, Rivals.com ranked Brandon Graham as the top class of 2006 high school football prospect in the state of Michigan, the number two inside linebacker prospect, and the overall fifteenth best prospect in the nation.

2007: NCAA 2008 EA Sports Rating

In 2007, Brandon Graham received a perfect 99 rating in the NCAA 2008 EA Sports game, even higher than his star teammates. He also faced a disorderly conduct charge, which was later dropped.

2008: Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

In 2008, Brandon Graham began the season as a Hendricks award watch list candidate. On September 27 Graham had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Wisconsin Badgers, and he was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

2008: Big Ten Conference Tackles for Loss Leader

In 2008, Brandon Graham led the Big Ten Conference in tackles for loss, recording 20 in 11 games. He also earned Second-team Big Ten All-conference recognition.

2008: Ted Hendricks Award Watch List

In 2008, Brandon Graham was a mid-season Ted Hendricks Award watch list candidate.

December 2009: Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" Top 25

As of December 2009, Brandon Graham was the only Big Ten player featured on Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" Top 25.

2009: Big Ten Conference Co-MVP

In 2009, Brandon Graham was named the Big Ten Conference co-MVP and received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award. He also became the FBS tackles for a loss champion and earned First-team All-Big Ten selection. Graham was named MVP of the 2010 Senior Bowl

January 30, 2010: Senior Bowl MVP

On January 30, 2010, Brandon Graham earned MVP honors at the Senior Bowl after recording five tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

July 29, 2010: Signed with the Eagles

On July 29, 2010, Brandon Graham signed a five-year, $16.90 million contract with the Eagles, including $12.67 million guaranteed. He was named a starting defensive end to begin the regular season.

November 28, 2010: Season-High Tackles vs. Chicago Bears

On November 28, 2010, Brandon Graham recorded a season-high three solo tackles and made one sack during a 31–26 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 12.

December 12, 2010: Torn ACL

On December 12, 2010, Brandon Graham suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.

December 14, 2010: Placed on injured reserve

On December 14, 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles placed Brandon Graham on the injured reserve list due to a torn ACL.

2010: Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles

In 2010, Brandon Graham was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL draft, being the thirteenth pick overall.

2010: Senior Bowl MVP

In 2010, Brandon Graham was named MVP of the Senior Bowl.

July 28, 2011: Placed on active/physically unable to perform list

On July 28, 2011, Brandon Graham was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list before the start of training camp.

November 5, 2011: Activated from PUP list

On November 5, 2011, Brandon Graham was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, allowing him to return to practice.

2012: 2012 Season Performance

In the 2012 season, Brandon Graham appeared in 16 games, starting in six. He recorded 5.5 sacks, 38 total tackles, one pass defended, and two forced fumbles.

2013: Moved to Linebacker

In 2013, Brandon Graham transitioned from defensive end to linebacker. He finished the 2013 season with three sacks, 20 total tackles, and one forced fumble in 16 games.

2014: 2014 Season Performance

During the 2014 season, Brandon Graham recorded 5.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, and four forced fumbles in 16 games and one start. His four forced fumbles ranked fourth in the NFL.

2015: Signed Contract with Eagles

After nearly signing with the New York Giants, Brandon Graham signed a 4-year, $26 million contract with the Eagles, including $14 million guaranteed, to remain with the team in 2015. He finished the season with 6.5 sacks, 51 total tackles, and one pass defended in 16 games with ten starts.

2016: All-Pro Selection

In 2016, Brandon Graham posted 59 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 5.5 sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles. Following the 2016 NFL season, he was named to the 2016 All-Pro 2nd Team by the Associated Press, first team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus, and All-National Football Conference (NFC) by the Pro Football Writers Association.

2017: Super Bowl LII Champion

During the 2017 NFL season, Brandon Graham led the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles in quarterback sacks with 9.5. He also had a pivotal strip sack on Tom Brady in the closing minutes of Super Bowl LII.

2017: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

In 2017, Brandon Graham was ranked 93rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

May 16, 2018: Ankle Surgery

On May 16, 2018, it was revealed that Brandon Graham underwent ankle surgery earlier in the month, causing him to miss some offseason practices. In 2018, he recorded 39 combined tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and starts.

March 1, 2019: Contract Extension with Eagles

On March 1, 2019, Brandon Graham signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Eagles. In week 5 of the 2019 season against the New York Jets, Graham sacked Luke Falk three times in the 31–6 win. He finished the 2019 season with 8.5 sacks, 50 total tackles (35 solo), and one forced fumble.

2020: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2020, Brandon Graham was selected for the Pro Bowl.

March 15, 2021: Contract Extension with Eagles

On March 15, 2021, Brandon Graham signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles.

September 21, 2021: Placed on injured reserve

In Week 2 of the 2021 season, Brandon Graham suffered a torn Achilles and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on September 21, 2021.

2021: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players

Brandon Graham was ranked 99th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

2022: Christmas Album

In 2022, Brandon Graham contributed vocals to the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas.

2022: Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

In week three of the 2022 season, Brandon Graham was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. In Week 14, Graham had three sacks, four tackles, and a forced fumble in a 48–22 win over the Giants, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week, his second of the season. Graham helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII, where they lost.

March 10, 2023: Re-signed with the Eagles

On March 10, 2023, Brandon Graham re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract. At the time, Graham was the longest tenured Eagle with 178 regular-season games played.

November 26, 2023: New Franchise Record

On November 26, 2023, Brandon Graham surpassed David Akers' franchise record of 188 regular-season games played for the Eagles.

March 9, 2024: Contract Extension with the Eagles

On March 9, 2024, Brandon Graham signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles. In Week 12, he tore his triceps in the 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.

2024: Super Bowl LIX Champion

In 2024, Brandon Graham was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles team which won Super Bowl LIX.

February 8, 2025: Activated off injured reserve and Super Bowl LIX Win

On February 8, 2025 Brandon Graham was activated off injured reserve in time for Super Bowl LIX. The Eagles won Super Bowl LIX 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Graham also re-tore his triceps during the game and underwent surgery shortly thereafter.