Brandon Graham 2, Father Time 0

Brandon Graham 2, Father Time 0 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Brandon Graham said when he came out of retirement in October that he wasn’t coming back just to be a cheerleader, just to be a trash talker, just to be an energy guy, just to be a leader.

That all comes with the package, but he was here to play.

And Sunday we got a good look at how effective he can still be.

“Awesome, awesome, awesome,” Jalen Hurts said. “Two of them at his age and being able to come back. I think someone like Brandon, he serves more value than just his presence and his leadership. He’s still a hell of a player, and I’m glad he’s able to feel that personally for himself and set the tone in a way for our team.”

Graham became the oldest Eagle ever to record a sack and then he added another for his 12th career multiple-sack game in the Eagles’ 31-0 win over the Raiders at the Linc.

It was his first two-sack game since late in the 2022 season.

“It’s been cool,” B.G. said of coming out of retirement. “I’m just happy to be able to come here and just have fun with the guys, man. 

“I feel like my training camp has been over with now. I’m just trying to contribute and get this on the field. Off the field, whatever it is, you know, to try to help the guys. We’re having some fun. I’m just happy to try to have a good time.”

This was B.G.’s sixth game since he came out of retirement. With Jalen Carter out after undergoing procedures to repair his shoulder injuries, B.G. has been playing mainly defensive tackle, and that’s where both sacks came Sunday as the Eagles recorded their first shutout in seven years.

Jordan Davis wanted to make sure everyone knew that the interior linemen get credit for the sacks, not the edges.

“You can teach your old dog new tricks, and I’ve seen it with B.G.,” he said. “So it’s been great to see him go out there and ball out. And we can claim those, ‘cause he’s actually a d-tackle right now. So we can claim those sacks if he’s a D -tackle. So I love it.”

B.G. is the eighth Eagle with at least two sacks this year, and his presence has added a dimension to a defensive line that had just 22 sacks the first 11 games of the season but now has 11 the last two games, even without Carter.

Every time he steps on the field, Graham sets a franchise record for games played. Sunday was No. 224. He also increased his career total to 84.0 sacks including the postseason. That leaves him only four behind Trent Cole for second place in Eagles history, behind only Reggie White’s 128.

Davis spoke at length about B.G. after the game Sunday. He was 10 when B.G. picked up his first career sack 15 years ago against Shaun Hill. 

“It’s just the story that he has, coming back from retirement,” Davis said. “Getting on the board, two sacks against Kenny Pickett. He’s been here, we know him very well. You know, it’s just, I love it. 

“You know, it’s inspirational for me, because you know, you’re never too old. You’re never too old. I know Philip Rivers is playing today, but like, truly, it’s all about a mindset.”

Get this: B.G. is only the third player 37 or older to have two sacks in an entire season for the Eagles.

Claude Humphrey had 4.0 in 1981 and Hall of Famer Richard Dent had 4.5 in 1997.

Dent had been the oldest Eagle with a sack – 37 years, 1 day – before Sunday.

“I just love that for him because he’s just getting that juice, he’s getting that flow,” Davis said. “But you know, B.G., he never lost a step. He’s coming out here, he’s being a dominant force. He’s not supposed to be here, but he’s doing it. That’s selfless, and we couldn’t ask for more.”

He played for Andy Reid. He had training camp at Lehigh. He played alongside Trent Cole, Michael Vick, LeSean and DeSean.

He overcame the 1st-round bust tag to make one of the greatest plays in Eagles history.

B.G. is a living, walking, breathing Eagles History Museum. 

“He deserves it more than anybody else,” Jaelan Phillips said. “And it’s just great to be able to celebrate with him and have that moment.”