Eagles legend Brandon Graham live tapes podcast, talks football at Rowan

Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end and two-time Super Bowl Champion Brandon Graham brought his PHLY weekly podcast, “Brandon Graham Unblocked,” to Rowan University for a live taping of its most recent episode. Organized by the Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact, this marked the first time the podcast taped outside of the studio and its first time in front of a collegiate audience.

Graham and co-host Bo Wulf, an Eagles insider, discussed the team’s chances of making the playoffs, their picks for this week’s NFL games and leadership moments in Graham’s career. A focal point of the episode was the recent trade announcement of Eagles’ defensive tackle Jordan Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars. On that and several other team topics, Wulf gauged the crowd’s opinions by asking for cheers or boos—which the hundreds in attendance enthusiastically offered.

Advice on and off the field

When Wulf asked Graham about his thoughts on the Eagles’ lack of leadership after injuries and trades, Graham provided advice for the NFL players that was also a good lesson for the mainly student audience. 

“Somebody’s got to step up and take it. I felt like my year was 2016 where I could have been a captain, but I wasn't,” said Graham. “But, I was still leading by example by what I do on the field. People want to hear you. People want to know what you're thinking in your mind.”

Graham and Wulf also debated the Philadelphia Eagles tough season with their 2-7 record. Wulf asked Graham what the players should be doing for the rest of the season knowing it probably won’t end in a playoff run. 

“Everybody is being evaluated. They’re looking at who quits for the year, who out here complaining and mad,” said Graham. “They’re watching everybody—who can we ride with for next year, who’s going to continue to keep pushing. But, man, it's still opportunity. We got to choose to want to do it. Somebody’s got to step up and somebody’s got to show it. And, whatever you do in practice, usually shows up in the game. And for me, I ain't in the business of looking bad. I'm trying to go out there and work and whatever happens happens, but at least I was prepared.”

Answering student questions

For the last portion of the episode, Graham took questions from students in the audience. Junior History and Sports Communication & Media double major Jacob Clark asked the first question.

“I just want to know what was going through your head in that moment when you were able to have that strip sack against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl?” asked Clark, referring to Graham, with two minutes remaining in Super Bowl LII, knocking the football loose and halting a potential New England Patriots game-winning drive, which sealed the Eagles’ first Super Bowl title in 2018.

“When I first did it, I just flew to the sidelines screaming, going crazy,” said Graham. “I just couldn't believe what happened because we were just talking as a defense on the sideline, ‘Somebody’s got to make a play.’ I remember sitting on the bench just saying, ‘Man, I just sacked Tom Brady.’” 

“It was my first ever championship in my career,” Graham continued. “I never even made it to the championship at no level to even lose it. So to make it to the ultimate one, it was the highest of the highs.”

Kati O'Rourke, a senior majoring in both Sports Communication & Media and Journalism, then asked Graham, “As a person who went from playing on the field to asking questions off the field, what makes someone who works in sports media most memorable?”

Addressing a large group of sports communication students in the audience, Graham said, “You can't worry about what others think. You’ve got to have your opinion. And, then, do your homework. For me now, I'm like, man, I put so much into football. I got to do the same thing in this. I got to make sure I'm doing my homework, what I'm going to talk about. You got to really put work in if you want to see something take off.”

Senior Sports Communication & Media major Ian Mulhearne closed the series of student questions by posing “In football or in life, what do you want people to remember about your legacy, whether it's on the field or off the field?”

“Be authentic, enjoy life one day at a time because it'll definitely pass you by. Try not to complain because it could be way worse,” said Graham. “And, I want people to remember me as just being the guy that always tries to find that little speck of light. I want people to know that I'm just trying to serve and help people while I'm here.”

Graham ended the event by leading the third and final Eagles chant. Produced by Rowan Sports Communication & Media students under the guidance of Associate Professor Chris Winkler, the episode is available for viewing on YouTube.

About Rowan’s Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact

The Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact enhances the academic growth of students in the Sports Communication & Media program by providing access to mentoring, renowned guest speakers, networking events, work opportunities and student clubs. 

“Having Brandon Graham on campus was another excellent opportunity for our students to work the event in a variety of roles and for everyone to enjoy an engaging conversation with a prominent sports personality,” said Neil Hartman, senior director of the Center.

Previous public events hosted by the Center included conversations with former Philadelphia Eagles players, Jason Kelce and Brian Dawkins; retired NBA forward turned television commentator, Charles Barkley; and sports analyst Stephen A. Smith.