It was an emotional scene on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field as the Eagles celebrated their Super Bowl berth after defeating the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. But no one took in the moment quite like Philadelphia’s longtime defensive end Brandon Graham and his family.
During a postgame interview with Josina Anderson for CBS Sports, Graham — a 13-season veteran — spoke about how he wanted to “enjoy this moment” in the lead-up to Super Bowl 2023 before his family, including wife Carlyne, crashed the Q&A.
“I’m so proud of you,” Carlyne gushed to Graham, 34, on the field.
“To know that he just came from this injury, and to know all of the hard work that he put in, this could be potentially the last game that he played for Philly, I’m lost for words.”
Graham, the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has spent his entire NFL career with the Eagles. However, the Super Bowl champ was sidelined for much of last season after suffering a torn Achilles in September 2021.
Graham reiterated in a separate interview that he is looking to stay in the present moment before exploring what’s next.
“I’m just more so trying to finish the deal on this season then we’ll talk more as that goes. I’m just trying to stop time as much as I can by just enjoying this moment right here with us, sitting up here [on the stage at NovaCare Complex talking to reporters] because these moments come and go so fast,” he said, according to Sports Illustrated.
“One minute I’m talking to ya’ll, next minute I’m in there getting ready for work, next minute, the day is over and we’re on to the next day. So, I’m just like, bang, playing for the NFC championship. I only played one time in it and you know what we did that year, so it’s cool to be in this moment again.”
As for Carlyne, who shares two young children with Graham, her husband of eight years, she relived the sweet on-field moment in an Instagram post.
The Eagles will next face the Chiefs in Super Bowl 2023 on Feb. 12, in Arizona.
