Defensive end Brandon Graham plays in his 200th regular-season game as an Eagle on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the only player in franchise history to reach that mark. It is an incredible accomplishment, one currently held by only four other active NFL defensive players – Washington linebacker Nick Bellore, Miami defensive lineman Calais Campbell, Houston defensive end Jerry Hughes, and New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan.
"I'm enjoying the moments now, but then it's going to be something to talk about later with my kids and stuff like that," Graham said. "Remember this, remember that, but I'm sure they're going to remember some stuff, but not everything. Just trying to enjoy it now. You don't get here by accident, but it's what we do. Gotta go out and win this week, that's the number one thing, so I'm always trying to keep that at the forefront. We gotta win. Happy to have gotten here, but hope I go out and have to have a good game."
That Graham has played his entire career as an Eagle, of course, makes it that much more special. In his franchise-record 15th season, Graham is still going strong and has been a productive player in the Vic Fangio defense.
"He's been there for so long and this guy who consistently battles and is playing really good football this year. Watch what he's doing in the run game. I mean tremendous accomplishment," said All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, who is third on the team with 146 career regular-season games behind Graham and Darius Slay (167). "Someone who started off a little bit rough and then just blossomed from there. Couldn't happen to a better guy. Really been the heartbeat of this team for a long time."
"I don't know how he keeps doing it," said rookie Jalyx Hunt, who is just three games into his NFL career. "Fifteen years, especially at this position, it's crazy. He's made it through the transition of football. I'm sure when he came to the league, it was a lot more downhill, a lot more power. Now, it's all about speed and agility and he's made that transition flawlessly, so I'm impressed. Two hundred is crazy."
As Graham prepared for this historic football moment, he took some time out to comment on some significant moments in his career, starting with the 2010 NFL Draft, when he became the 13th player selected.
"It was huge. I knew I was gonna go high, and when I heard my name called, man, it meant everything to me," Graham said. "All the hard work I put in paid off. I came to Philadelphia and there was all this media, and everywhere I went people were giving me cheesesteaks and I was like, 'Stop, you're putting weight on me.' It was crazy. But Philly, man, I knew it was different right away."
Brandon Graham will be the first Eagle and just the fourth active NFL defensive player to reach 200 career regular-season games this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
- On adjusting to the speed of the NFL game
"I'm thankful for guys like Trent Cole (defensive end) and Jason Peters (offensive tackle) and Mike Patterson (defensive tackle) and Juqua Parker (defensive end) and all of those guys for taking time and working with me. I was 22 and the NFL was a new world," Graham said. "I didn't learn right away what it was like to be in this league, what it took to be a great player. Working with those guys every day showed me that you have to be on your game every day. You have to bring it and take care of yourself. And you have to study. You can't get away with winning because you're a better athlete."
- On the key to long-term success
"You have to understand that you have to work harder and do all the little things," Graham said. "The details matter, man. You can't cut corners. Maybe when I was younger, I could get away with a few things, but that's not how it works. You have to stay focused on where you are and prepare to be great in that moment. When I was younger, I might have looked ahead. Now, I'm cherishing every moment and staying where my feet are. That, and you have to take care of your body. Cold tubs, massages, everything. Recover as fast as you can."
- On the biggest moment of his career
"Winning the Super Bowl is what it's all about," Graham said. "It was amazing there and to win the game and the celebration and the parade, you dream about that stuff. My dream came true, and that's for real. And for me to play a part and getting to Tom Brady (Patriots quarterback against whom Graham recorded a late-game strip sack) was even more special. A Michigan guy just like me. Everything about that experience ... I still get chills thinking about it. I've been asked about that play, I think, a straight-up million times. It never gets old."
- On Eagles fans
"They bring it. They let you know how they feel and that takes some guys by surprise. Some guys don't like it. I love it," Graham said. "It means the fans care and that's what you have to remember. The fans love the Eagles. They just like to make sure you know how they're feeling."
- On being a Philadelphia Eagle
"Oh, this ain't over," Graham said. "I'm cherishing every day, slowing things down. I'm so proud of what I've done and what we've done as an organization. Even when I'm finished playing, I'm going to be part of this. I'm going to be an Eagle for a long, long time."