“Made Me Wanna Cry”: Eagles DE Brandon Graham Reacts to Jason Kelce’s Retirement Speech

Jason Kelce bid a teary-eyed adieu to the NFL after his 13-year-long career on Monday. The Philadelphia Eagles center said his thanks to the city, his teammates, and above all his family. As Kelce steps into a new phase of his life, a former teammate expressed his respect for the emotional farewell.

Brandon Graham is another player who has been loyal to the Eagles ever since being drafted in 2010. The defensive end is reported to return to his home team for the 2024 season signing a potential contract for his 15th year with the team. Now, after Kelce’s moving retirement speech, Graham talked about how he felt hearing his longtime teammate say goodbye to the sport they both cherish

Brandon Graham talks about getting emotional hearing Jason Kelce speak

In a recent appearance on the Takeoff with John Clark, Graham talked about the lessons he took away from Kelce’s retirement speech. The defensive end feels that one should “take notes on being able to be vulnerable” and not suppress their emotions when feelings brim up.

Giving his own example, Graham said there are times when one gets choked up with emotions, and it gets hard to talk. Instead of keeping them in, one should express that “at the end of the day, it goes somewhere.” The Eagles’ star said that watching Kelce express himself candidly gave him “chills,” and added, “It made me definitely wanna cry a little bit.”

With the departure of Kelce, the Eagles definitely have a void to fill. Moreover, another permanent face from their crew might be taking his leave after the following season.

Graham to enter the media business after the 2024 season

The Eagles’ longest-serving player plans to hang up his cleats after the upcoming season. As for this year, Graham might return to Philadelphia for his final run, according to Ian Rapoport. Last year, the lineman signed a one-year contract with the Eagles and expressed his wish to have his “farewell tour” with his home team, as per NBC Sports. It seems the Eagles are on the same page and wish to re-sign Graham for his 15th season.

Read This: 3 Days Into Retirement, Jason Kelce Already Regrets Hanging Up His Cleats With the Eagles at the Wrong Time

Graham is already working on his retirement plans, too. On the 94WIP podcast, the DE revealed that media is “definitely going to be the route” he wishes to take after this season. Following in Kelce’s footsteps, Graham also will attend the league’s Media and Broadcasting Workshop in April.

With one beloved center retired and another prominent face leaving next year, it is going to be a tough couple of years for the Philadelphia Eagles. Graham has 73 sacks, 344 solo, and 124 assisted tackles in his 14 years with the Eagles, making him a valuable asset to the team.