NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Graham may add another leg to his farewell tour as he is unsure whether Sunday will mark his final NFL game.
Graham is practicing this week and intends to play in Super Bowl LIX against Kansas City after suffering what was deemed in November as a season-ending injury. Graham underwent surgery for his torn triceps, rehabbed, and returned to practice last week, giving him a chance to make a return for the title game.
He said before the season that this would be his “farewell tour” as he intended to retire after 15 seasons. But Graham performed at a high level, hardly appearing like a player headed for retirement. His second-quarter sack in the Week 12 game against the Rams was enough to wonder if Graham would really walk away. Later in the game, he was injured and his season was said to be finished.
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“Man, dang. I was just cooking,” Graham said Wednesday. “I talk to guys all the time who get hurt and I tell them to keep their head up. So I kept my head up.”
If Graham keeps going, he would not be the first star to renege on a farewell tour. Kiss went on a farewell tour in 2000 and toured for 23 more years. Mötley Crüe signed a contract before their 2014 farewell tour that they said legally banned them from touring again. More than 10 years later, the band is still playing shows.
“Hey, I understand 100 percent,” Graham said. “But let us get through this one and then we’ll talk about it.”
Graham was on the field for nearly half of the team’s defensive snaps through the first 11 games, receiving the fourth-highest grade from Pro Football Focus among Eagles defenders who played at least 300 snaps. The 36-year-old still had it. If active, Graham will likely not have as large of a role Sunday, but his return should provide a spark.
The veteran defensive end was told in November that his season was over but said he didn’t want to “end it like that.” Graham spoke to former Eagle Hollis Thomas, who suffered a similar injury in his career and returned during the same season. Thomas told Graham he had a chance. He pushed through rehab, knowing the Super Bowl would be his only shot to play.
“I just went out there and worked every day, hoping and praying that we made it here,” Graham said. “Now that we’re here, they’re giving me an opportunity to show what I can do.”
If Graham retires with the Eagles, he’ll join Bobby Clarke and Mike Schmidt as the only Philly athletes to have a 15-year career spent exclusively in Philadelphia. Clarke played 15 years for the Flyers and Schmidt played 18 years for the Phillies. Graham could be back for a 16th season. First, he has a game to play on Sunday.
“I’m excited to play this last game,” Graham said. “I don’t know what the future holds. But if this is my last game, I’m going to give it everything I have.”
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