History of Brandon Graham in Timeline

Brandon Graham is a former American football defensive end, notable for his 15-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. A first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2010 NFL draft after playing college football at Michigan, where he was recognized as an All-American in 2009. Graham spent his entire professional career with the Eagles.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 3, 1988: Brandon Graham's Birth

On April 3, 1988, Brandon Lee Graham was born. He would later become a professional football player.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Crockett Vocational Tech began participating in MHSAA football competitions in 1996

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

2003: Honorable Mention Lineman in 2003

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

In 2004, Brandon Graham led his high school team to the MHSAA state championships and was named to the First-team All-Detroit team. He recorded 91 tackles and maintained a 3.8 GPA.

2005: Received All-American honors in 2005

In 2005, Brandon Graham received Parade Magazine All-American and EA Sports All-American honors.

January 7, 2006: Participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on January 7, 2006

On January 7, 2006, Brandon Graham participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl where he recorded four tackles and a blocked field goal. He was also a finalist for the Parade All-America High School player of the year and the Walter Payton Trophy.

2006: Participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2006

In 2006, Brandon Graham served as captain for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He received All-American list mentions and was a finalist for high school football honors.

2006: Switched to defensive end in 2006

In 2006, Brandon Graham switched to defensive end at Michigan and played as a backup, recording his first tackle, sack, and forced fumble.

2006: Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Honoree in 2006

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

2006: Ranked as top prospect in Michigan in 2006

In 2006, Rivals.com ranked Brandon Graham as the top high school football prospect in the state of Michigan and a top prospect nationally.

2007: Perfect rating in NCAA 2008 EA Sports in 2007

In 2007, Brandon Graham received a perfect 99 rating in the NCAA 2008 EA Sports video game. He also faced legal issues due to a missed court date, but the charges were later dropped. He also had 8.5 sacks and was a mid-season Ted Hendricks Award watch list candidate.

2008: Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Team MVP in 2008

In 2008, Brandon Graham had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against the Wisconsin Badgers and was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week. He also guaranteed a victory against Michigan State, but the team lost. Graham finished the season with 10 sacks and was named team MVP.

2008: Big Ten Conference Tackles for Loss Leader in 2008

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

2008: Hendricks Award watch list candidate in 2008

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 on Mel Kiper Jr.'s "Big Board" Top 25.

2009: All-American Honors in 2009

In 2009, Brandon Graham earned first-team All-American honors while playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines.

2009: Big Ten Conference Co-MVP and FBS tackles champion in 2009

In 2009, Brandon Graham was named the Big Ten Conference co-MVP and was the FBS tackles for loss (per game) champion. He also posted 26 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 12 games for the Michigan Wolverines football team and was a finalist for the NCAA Division I FBS football Hendricks Award.

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 Philadelphia Eagles, including $12.67 million guaranteed. He was named a starting defensive end by head coach Andy Reid.

November 28, 2010: Season-High Tackles and Sack Against Bears

On November 28, 2010, Brandon Graham collected a season-high three solo tackles and made one sack during a 31–26 loss at 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 30–27 victory at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

December 14, 2010: Placed on injured reserve list

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

2010: Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010

In 2010, Brandon Graham was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the NFL draft as the 13th overall pick.

2010: MVP of the 2010 Senior Bowl

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 to play

On November 5, 2011, Brandon Graham was activated after being removed from the physically unable to perform list and returning to practice.

2012: Appeared in 16 games

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

2013: Moved to Linebacker

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

2014: Finished with 5.5 sacks

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

2015: Signed contract with the Eagles

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

2016: Named to All-Pro 2nd Team

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

2016: Second team All-Pro selection in 2016

In 2016, Brandon Graham was selected for the second All-Pro team.

2017: Led the Eagles in Sacks during the 2017 NFL season

During the 2017 NFL season, Brandon Graham led the Philadelphia Eagles, the Super Bowl LII champions, 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 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

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

2017: Won Super Bowl LII

In his 2017 season, Brandon Graham recorded 9.5 sacks and 47 tackles, leading the team in sacks. During the 2017–18 NFL playoffs, he tallied two tackles for a loss in the final drive against the Atlanta Falcons. With 2:21 remaining in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LII, he strip sacked Tom Brady, forcing a fumble recovered by teammate Derek Barnett. The Eagles won 41–33.

May 16, 2018: Underwent 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: Signed contract extension with the Eagles

On March 1, 2019, Brandon Graham signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Eagles. He finished the 2019 season with 8.5 sacks, 50 total tackles (35 solo), and one forced fumble.

2020: Pro Bowl Selection in 2020

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

2020: Named to Pro Bowl

In the 2020 season, Brandon Graham had eight sacks, 46 total tackles (35 solo), and two forced fumbles. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the 2020 season.

March 15, 2021: Signed contract extension with the Eagles

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

September 21, 2021: Placed on season-ending 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 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2021

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

2021: Contract end

In 2021, Brandon Graham's three year contract extension with the Eagles ended.

2022: Helped Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII

In 2022, Brandon Graham helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII. The Eagles lost 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

2022: Provided vocals on Christmas Album

In 2022, Brandon Graham provided vocals on the Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas.

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: Passed record

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

March 9, 2024: Signed contract extension with the Eagles

On March 9, 2024, Brandon Graham signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles.

2024: Won Super Bowl LIX in 2024

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

February 8, 2025: Activated for Super Bowl LIX

Brandon Graham was activated off injured reserve on February 8, 2025, in time for Super Bowl LIX. In Super Bowl LIX, Graham recorded one tackle in 13 snaps on defense as the Eagles won 40–22 over the Kansas City Chiefs.

March 18, 2025: Announced Retirement

During a press conference on March 18, 2025, Brandon Graham announced his retirement from professional football.

April 2025: Did not participate in White House visit

In April 2025, Brandon Graham was one of a dozen Eagles players of the Super Bowl LIX championship team that did not participate in the White House visit.