“It's that Tom Brady moment”- Brandon Graham credits Tom Brady for saving his Eagles career after years of fan backlash

Brandon Graham ’s unforgettable sack on Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII was more than just a big play, it changed everything. For years, he faced doubt from Philly fans, but that one moment turned him into a hometown hero. Now, Graham proudly calls it “that Tom Brady moment”—the play that helped bring the Eagles their first Super Bowl win and rewrote his story for good. Here's how it all came together.


How Brandon Graham’s sack of Tom Brady won over Philly fans





For Brandon Graham, it wasn’t just a sack, it was the sack. A moment frozen in time, replayed in highlight reels, and forever etched in Philadelphia sports history. Super Bowl LII brought plenty of fireworks, but none more explosive than when Graham broke through the Patriots’ line and stripped the ball from Tom Brady. That play didn’t just win a game, it won over a city.


“It’s that Tom Brady moment,” Graham admitted years later, smiling at the memory. And for good reason. That single play turned years of frustration, doubt, and criticism into validation. It wasn’t just about beating the Patriots, it was about proving to Philly that he belonged.


Graham’s journey to that moment wasn’t easy. Drafted 13th overall in 2010, he faced an uphill climb almost immediately. Fans were quick to remind him he wasn’t Earl Thomas, who went one pick later. Injuries, role changes, and relentless scrutiny followed. But Graham never stopped grinding. He took special teams reps, embraced every challenge, and earned his stripes the hard way.


In that moment, Graham didn’t just sack the greatest quarterback of all time, he sacked every doubt that had ever followed him.



Brandon Graham’s journey from doubted rookie to Eagles icon


Years later, ahead of a 2024 Eagles-Steelers matchup, Graham playfully mimicked the sack in front of Brady during pregame warmups. Brady, ever the competitor, laughed and returned the gesture. “It couldn’t have happened to a better guy,” Brady told him, a nod of respect from one legend to another.


Also Read: Texans secure Jalen Pitre with $39M three-year contract extension


But Graham’s career is more than one unforgettable play. It’s a story of resilience, evolution, and relentless work ethic. From a young player struggling to meet expectations to a team leader with over a decade of service, he became the embodiment of Philly toughness.

That strip-sack may be the headline, but the real story is how Brandon Graham turned a moment into a movement and earned his place as a true Eagles icon.