Brandon Graham on Eagles Super Bowls, NFL Trash Talk & More | Exciting Mics Ep. 9

Summary

Podcast Summary: Exciting Mics Ep. 9 – "Brandon Graham on Eagles Super Bowls, NFL Trash Talk & More"

Release Date: July 31, 2025

Overview

In Episode 9 of Exciting Mics, hosts Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean sit down with Brandon Graham, a Philadelphia Eagles legend and two-time Super Bowl champion. The episode delves into Graham's illustrious 15-year NFL career, his experiences with various coaching staffs, memorable Super Bowl moments, the culture of trash talk in the NFL, and his life post-retirement. Alongside football discussions, Graham shares insights into his personal life, entrepreneurial ventures, and his role as a father.

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1. Welcome and Introduction (00:51 – 03:05)

Reed and Cooper warmly welcome Brandon Graham back to the show, highlighting his contributions to the Eagles and his status as a Philadelphia sports icon.

Reed Blankenship [00:51]: "Welcome back to Exciting Mics presented by Vanda Pharmaceuticals. I'm Reed Blankenship."

Cooper DeJean [03:05]: "And built for fans who want to bring the heat. Coopercheese.com get your merch."

(Note: Initial segments featuring advertisements and promotional content have been omitted.)

2. Life After Retirement (03:05 – 04:10)

The conversation begins with Brandon Graham discussing his transition into retirement. He reflects on staying connected with former teammates and embracing his new roles outside of professional football.

Brandon Graham [03:36]: "You know, it's been fun. It's been busy as you know. I mean, I've been seeing you everywhere and I mean both of you especially."

3. Reflections on Playing Career and Coaching Transitions (04:10 – 09:07)

Graham delves into his playing days, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he experienced under different coaches. He discusses his initial struggles, including a significant knee injury, and how coaching changes influenced his performance and longevity with the Eagles.

Brandon Graham [04:16]: "The field, you know, what I'mma miss most is the fights, the battles, the talking stuff, and, you know, imposing your will against your teammates."

Coaching Stints:

• Coach Reed: Emphasized traditional, detail-oriented strategies.
• Chip Kelly: Introduced a younger, college-style mentality with shorter practices and more efficient use of time.
• Doug Pederson: Brought a blend of old-school methods with new strategies, leading to Graham's first Super Bowl victory.
• Nick Sirianni: Provided stability and continuity, fostering a winning culture that secured multiple championships.

Brandon Graham [07:33]: "They all had their own thing. So Coach Reed, old school. I mean, man, he was a great, great coach...Chip Kelly, he wasn't about wasting your time."

4. The Significance of Super Bowl Victories (09:07 – 21:04)

Brandon shares his experiences winning two Super Bowls with the Eagles, emphasizing the emotional rollercoaster of bringing championships to Philadelphia. He recounts the intense fan reactions, the celebrations, and the lasting impact these victories had on his legacy and the team’s culture.

Brandon Graham [18:35]: "Because at the time, I was trying to get that label off me. And for me making that play against Brady, it was always forgiven."

Brandon Graham [20:12]: "We had so much fun. But by the time I didn't know how long, it really was. So the first half, soon as we come out and we go on Broad, man, I was already done."

5. Trash Talk and Memorable Moments (21:04 – 37:37)

The discussion shifts to the culture of trash talk in the NFL. Graham shares his favorite trash-talking moments, particularly interactions with players like Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen. He offers advice on effective trash talk, emphasizing the importance of staying respectful and avoiding personal attacks.

Brandon Graham [32:17]: "Know some stuff that you don't think they know. Don't get too crazy. Where they looking for you outside of the crazy."

Brandon Graham [35:15]: "So everybody can get it in Dallas. And I'm gonna keep saying it. I love it. Even the fans."

6. The Eagles Organization and Philadelphia's Sports Culture (37:37 – 47:20)

Brandon praises the Eagles organization for its commitment to talent, character, and community. He reflects on why Philadelphia stands out as a passionate sports city, appreciating the gritty, blue-collar support from fans and the strong brotherly love that defines the city's sports culture.

Brandon Graham [47:42]: "I feel like just Even the blue collar, like, gritty...that's why I feel like it's a great sports city for me."

7. Interests and Ventures Beyond Football (42:59 – 47:32)

Post-retirement, Graham has ventured into the beverage industry. He co-founded "Crooked Tea," a hard tea brand focusing on zero sugar and zero carbs, aiming to provide healthier alternatives in the beverage market. He discusses his passion for entrepreneurship and his commitment to promoting better drinking habits.

Brandon Graham [43:05]: "Well, honestly, man, right now I've been in the beverage space...We trying to change the way we drink."

8. Family and Personal Life (44:44 – 47:20)

Brandon speaks about his role as a father, emphasizing the importance of being a positive role model for his children. He shares anecdotes about his son’s resilience after a basketball injury and his daughter's outgoing nature, highlighting the values he instills in them.

Brandon Graham [45:27]: "He broke his pinky playing basketball. And now he just had. They had camp today. He did it. He could still catch and do all his stuff now."

9. Legacy and Final Thoughts (51:07 – 55:52)

As the episode winds down, Graham articulates his hopes for his legacy. He aspires to be remembered as a positive, exciting player who contributed to the team's success and uplifted those around him. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork, humility, and consistency both on and off the field.

Brandon Graham [51:12]: "I hope for my legacy is just, man, that I brought the excitement, the positivity in the negative world."

Brandon Graham [55:52]: "I'm just thankful that I was able to be genuinely somebody that I could consistently be every day."

10. Audience Interaction and Rapid Fire Q&A (56:00 – 60:33)

The episode concludes with a fan segment where listeners ask Brandon questions about his favorite treats and hometown recommendations. This interactive portion highlights the camaraderie between Graham and the hosts, offering a glimpse into his personality beyond the professional realm.

Cooper DeJean [59:48]: "They're like cheese curds. Same thing. But the cheese balls are freaking gas, gas, gas."

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Key Takeaways:

• Resilience and Adaptability: Brandon Graham's career exemplifies overcoming adversity, from injuries to coaching changes, showcasing his resilience and ability to adapt.

• Team Culture and Leadership: Emphasizing the importance of team chemistry, leadership, and mutual respect, Graham highlights how these elements contribute to sustained success.

• Legacy Beyond the Field: Graham's focus on positivity, mentorship, and personal growth underscores his desire to leave a lasting, meaningful legacy both within the sport and in his personal life.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Transitioning into business ventures post-retirement, Graham demonstrates a commitment to innovation and healthy living, influencing both his peers and the broader community.

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Notable Quotes:

• Brandon Graham [04:16]: "The field... what I'mma miss most is the fights, the battles, the talking stuff, and... imposing your will against your teammates."

• Brandon Graham [16:18]: "Vanda Pharmaceuticals innovate in the service of people's pursuit of happiness."

• Brandon Graham [32:17]: "Know some stuff that you don't think they know. Don't get too crazy."

• Brandon Graham [47:42]: "I feel like just Even the blue collar, like, gritty... that's why I feel like it's a great sports city for me."

• Brandon Graham [51:12]: "I hope for my legacy is just... that I brought the excitement, the positivity in the negative world."

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Conclusion

Episode 9 of Exciting Mics offers an in-depth look into Brandon Graham's career, personal philosophies, and aspirations. Through candid conversations, Graham imparts valuable lessons on resilience, leadership, and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook both on and off the field. For Eagles fans and sports enthusiasts alike, this episode provides a heartfelt tribute to one of the NFL’s most respected and beloved figures.

Transcript

[Reed Blankenship]

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[Brandon Graham]

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[Cooper Dej]

See mintmobile.com youm got a favorite player or team that you like to talk.

[Brandon Graham]

Trash to Dallas, man, I used to talk so much against them because you just developed that, that Cause they fans. Cause they fans, man, when they win, I'm telling you, they fans come out of nowhere. All I remember one time we lost to them and we was both good and we ended up losing to them. It was a good game. And all I get is L L under all my stuff. All these fans spamming me, spamming my Instagram and ever since then, boy, they been the top of my list. So everybody can get it in Dallas.

[Reed Blankenship]

Welcome back to the exciting mics presented by Vanda Pharmaceuticals. I'm Reed Blankenship.

[Cooper Dej]

And I'm Cooper Dej. And today we're excited to welcome one of our great former teammates, a Philly legend and two time super bowl champion Brandon Graham to the show.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yes, sir. Stay tuned for that and remember to like comment, share and subscribe on YouTube or wherever you watch your podcast. Let's get started.

[Cooper Dej]

It's time.

[Reed Blankenship]

You're an idiot.

[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

Let's try it out.

[Reed Blankenship]

We gotta unravel these booze.

[Cooper Dej]

Little cheese steak cheesy. Come on, come on, come on.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

Look at this steak. Oh my God. It's packed in there.

[Reed Blankenship]

Struggling Mine ready? It's already tightly rolled.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh my gosh. I like a big ass bite. Dude.

[Cooper Dej]

This is a gas cheesesteak though.

[Reed Blankenship]

I like how cheap like the cheesy it is.

[Brandon Graham]

Cooper cheese.

[Reed Blankenship]

Cooper cheese. Cooper cheese melts really well in there, don't it?

[Cooper Dej]

Sh.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah dude. This is pretty good.

[Cooper Dej]

This is a good ass cheese steak.

[Reed Blankenship]

82.

[Cooper Dej]

I'll go 83.

[Reed Blankenship]

You always go one harder than me, bro.

[Cooper Dej]

Cuz I think it's better than you think it is. Shout out variety bros for hand delivering this. You guys are the best.

[Reed Blankenship]

Respect.

[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

Get it.

[Cooper Dej]

We are excited to welcome a Philly legend to the show. A man who gave Philly everything he's got for 15 years.

[Reed Blankenship]

He's newly retired, but he would always be our vet. Please welcome Mr. Brandon Graham.

[Brandon Graham]

PG.

[Cooper Dej]

How. How's retirement, retirement been for you?

[Brandon Graham]

You know what? It's been fun. It's been busy as you know. I mean, I've been seeing you everywhere and I mean both of you especially.

[Reed Blankenship]

He's the out.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah. And then, you know, I seen, you know, you got some good stuff going. You know, just got married. Big dog, you know, welcome to the club.

[Reed Blankenship]

Thank you.

[Brandon Graham]

Thank you. Yeah, really, man. Just been busy enjoying still that win from, you know, back in February. Yeah, making money.

[Reed Blankenship]

I love that.

[Brandon Graham]

You know, started a drink and all that stuff and just. Yeah, man, it's good stuff right now. Enjoy my kids.

[Cooper Dej]

What do you think you'll miss most about playing? Obviously you're still around the facility and stuff, but just being out there on.

[Brandon Graham]

The field, you know, what I'mma miss most is the fights, the battles, the talking stuff, and you know, imposing your will against your teammates. Then on top of that, going out there and playing because, you know, we all sharpened each other and man, it's a good stress reliever too, as y' all know. You know, catching that pick, going to the house. Sometimes you going through something, boy. You may a play out there, all the other stuff don't even matter.

[Reed Blankenship]

I wonder who's going to be the next BG of. Of talking trash on the field.

[Cooper Dej]

We need to find another golly trash talker.

[Reed Blankenship]

Not like him.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, man, I really want to. I really want to see just. I think Nolan. I think Nolan. I think Nolan on the D line for sure.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Gotta be though.

[Brandon Graham]

You know, it'll be somebody.

[Reed Blankenship]

I think it would be Nolan.

[Brandon Graham]

I could even see Moro when he make his way morrow. Cause he quiet, but I know he ain't that quiet. Cause he be talking for real when we in private.

[Reed Blankenship]

Absolutely. Especially on the field too, man. JC can talk, JC will talk.

[Brandon Graham]

Jc, you just gotta reel him in because he'll take it there. And then sometimes you can't bring him back.

[Cooper Dej]

What was your welcome to Philadelphia moment when you first knew that the Eagles fans were very passionate? Very passionate.

[Brandon Graham]

Hearing the boos, the first time. And I'm like, man, we just won last week. Like, I know we ain't starting off so good this week, but people were saying, like, hey, man, it's all good. You go out there, make a play, you can change all that. But I think the first moment was hearing those boos, man. And then for me, my first year, I got hurt towards the end, and that's when I really felt it because I was a first rounder. And they real quick to put that label on you, man. Especially if before you that like, I had Earl Thomas, I had Jason Pierre Paul, who went. And them boys was having all world years, all pros, they first year, I think. Who won that first year? Oh, Green Bay won my first year in the league. And the second year the Giants won, Jason Pierre Paul was the guy that ended up balling in that playoff run. And, man, I was hurt. I tore my knee my first year. I had micro fracture. So it took me two years. So that was really like my heart. My hardest moments in Philly, you said.

[Reed Blankenship]

It took you two years. And then like year three is when.

[Brandon Graham]

When I came back, when I. When I started to, like, have promise where they. Where they was. Like, as a first rounder, you got about three years for real. Because they'll. They ain't gonna invest even for you. Like, you know, the investment that they put, you know, of giving you that first round choice or get you being that first round choice, it's you an investment. So they don't want to. They want to get a return. So you might get three years as a first rounder. You usually do. By the third year, I was good. And then Chip Kelly come in. So it's a guy that didn't draft me, didn't really probably want me at the time because he used to always talk about my size as far as being undersized as an end. Six, five and up. That's what he like. He say big guys beat big people. And I used to always be like, man, he kept that chip on my shoulder, though. But yeah, by year three, I was balling by the end. And then Chip come in. I had to start over again.

[Reed Blankenship]

So how many coaching staffs did you go through at your time?

[Brandon Graham]

I had coach Reed for three, Chip Kelly for three, Doug for four, and then Nick, I had him for, well, let me say 20, 21, three. Oh, you had 22, 23, 20. Yeah. So five years with Nick.

[Reed Blankenship]

Was there like any difference between. They all had their own personal.

[Brandon Graham]

They all had their own thing. So Coach Reed, old School. I mean, man, he was a great, great coach. All about the details. Just like how Nick is. Same thing. And then coach, Coach Kelly, he was more young, still like a college coach, still brought that. He brought that college type of mentality. We had to do a lot of stuff, man. It was just. It felt like college vibes for real. It was hard too. Right. But what I do like about what Chip used to do, he used to. He wasn't about wasting your time. So our meetings were shorter, our practice was a lot shorter. And that's why we started doing training camp at the facility instead of going to Lehigh. Because he was like, nah, we gonna do it here. And ever since then, they ain't never changed it.

[Reed Blankenship]

I didn't know that.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, that's when they. That's when it changed. When Chip came. Cause he didn't want to go way out there. He felt like we got everything here. So why, why, why, why take it way out there? And then Doug came in, he still had Coach Reed. He grew up, you know, under Coach Reed. So came up under Coach Reed and he is the one that came in and man, got my first super bowl. And it was just all off. We had the same schedule that we had with Coach Reed, so it was like old school traditional. But he brought a newness to it. He didn't do everything Coach Reed did, but he brought his own little style to it.

[Cooper Dej]

What do you think is so special about the Eagles organization, the way they do things and what did it mean to you to be able to play all 15 years?

[Brandon Graham]

That's very rare, man. I feel like the reason why the organization is so special is because of the people they bring in. Of course, do a real good, thorough job of just. Man, it's about talent, don't get me wrong. But they really do a good job about the character of the guys and how he gonna fit and what we already have. And just to keep that going, I'm very thankful, man. I know I didn't do it by myself. I know the community of people that I got around me. Cause man, it was tough, dark days during them times where they labeled me a bus. And then you gotta come out of that and then you gotta start. And with Chip, I went back to playing. I went to playing special teams. When you come in and not having to play special teams and then, you know. Cause you're a first rounder, you just playing defense, you playing field goal block, that's about it. But then when you got Chip come in, Chip, like, man, you a linebacker outside Linebacker. Nah, nah. You gotta do punt, punt return, kickoff kick return. And playing defense, too, man, that was a different. That tested me to see if I love the game. So playing those 15 years, it was great lessons in that for me, man. Cause it was a time where I was packed up, where I thought it was over. Chip Kelly, like I said during them times, Chip didn't want. I wasn't his guy. And he had a guy there, Travis Long. That was his name. He ended up getting hurt the last preseason game. And not saying that. You know how I go. That's part of the game. But I had my stuff packed up. My agent was already telling me, like, hey, we gonna probably have a couple offers after this. And then he get hurt. And then things change. And then that year, I had six. Six and a half sacks. Had a great year on top of Chip. Ended up getting fired after that. And then Doug come in, and then, man, the rest was history. I got back with Jim Schwartz, who was a guy that I came in, played the Senior bowl, got MVP of that, and, man, it was just like a reconnection. And he just took my game to that next level.

[Reed Blankenship]

So ever since then, you didn't have that sort of doubt in your mind that you would stay in this one spot?

[Brandon Graham]

Nah, after that, I didn't have a doubt. Once. We won a Super bowl, too. The second year when Doug came and we won, that's when I knew I had a chance. I had a chance to be here. And I really just wanted to play 10. But then, man, you just. You still. Hey, you feeling it? You start feeling like, man, I'm getting stuff on the back end. I'm having better years than I had in the beginning. So that's crazy. Yeah, it's crazy. And so Chip. Chip. I'm thankful for it. Cause, man, he kept that chip on my shoulder. He taught me a lot about my body. Cause he was about sports science. And he was really big on that. It was some good things with him that came. Wasn't all negative. But I know for me, I still play that to this day of keeping that chip on my shoulder. That's why I go out there and try to do my best. Because I know you got a lot of guys that look up to you. And I mean, for y' all right now, y' all got a lot of guys that look up to y', all, even if they don't tell you, they like how you moving, like, how you doing? So just make sure you stay consistent.

[Cooper Dej]

Absolutely.

[Reed Blankenship]

I mean, for me, coming in as a Rookie. And then, like, seeing how you played that year, I guess at the time would be year 1212. I came in in 22. I'm not good at math. And just seeing how you play, I'm like, oh, my gosh, man, this dude's insane. You know what I'm saying?

[Cooper Dej]

Like, I thought he was going to keep going after last year, let me tell you.

[Brandon Graham]

Cool. At that time when we playing the ra, I was feeling good. You know, at that point in season where you feel like you've just been doing stuff consistently. We do the stuff. We work with Eddie every day. Then I'm feeling like, man, the reps, like, after a while, your body just get that muscle memory and you feel like you taking off, you backpedaling and break, getting your breaks a little faster, all that stuff. And, man, I'm telling you, I was feeling so good. And when that happened, I was sad about it, but I was so happy that I didn't fold. Where, you know how, like, when you get hurt and you feel like you don't get your way, you go around pouting, doing all that. It was like, man, nah. Now I got a chance to really service them guys and really earn that.

[Reed Blankenship]

C. You've never been that type of guy, though.

[Brandon Graham]

No, I know, but. But trust me, like, you know, we are like. You know, like, we human. Like, behind the scenes, my village was really helping me. My wife, my. My kids. Some days I'm sick, you know, and I really. I tried to cry. Cry more when I did have those moments. Because at that point in my career, man, even now, like, I still. My mom was just so tough on me about crying and growing up. Don't let nobody see you sweat. Don't do this. It's just like, as a man, man, we all got feelings, and we all got stuff on us that we need to get out. And I don't try to hold on to that. Cause my son, he even more. He more in tune with his feelings than I. Than I ever was. And now I try to make sure that, hey, man, you all right? Like, I would try to be there for him and let him know that you ain't gotta be all tough about it, man. It's like, if you hurtin', let's talk about it. And so now, man, I feel like I've been doing a great job of just being in tune with my feelings and being there, and that helped me out a lot. Going through some of this stuff that I go through. Because you can't run. Don't run from it.

[Reed Blankenship]

You can't. You can't only suppress so much until you.

[Brandon Graham]

Cause I was hurt. I was hurt, boy. I was like, oh, man, not on my last year, and. But it was cool, though, man. I really did love watching y' all boys, man, and y' all just. Even now, it's tough watching that training camp is about to happen. But I'm excited because I get to root for guys I really know, and I know what they putting in every day and really genuinely just want to see y' all win. It's just getting through that rough part of, you know, how I go. I lost my locker. That stung for a second. But now it's part of life now. I'm used to it. I don't even worry about that no more. But once y' all start the season, I. It's gonna be part of life, and I'm gonna just be in the stands watching or on the sideline, depending on how we work it. But trust me, I wanna travel. I wanna do all that with y', all. But, you know, I just more of just enjoying just being a fan of the game, watching my guys go to work and just, man, still be around, genuinely happy for y' all boys. Cause I know what y' all do every day. People don't see that part, right? And I'm happy that I was able to see that and get one with y' all boys together.

[Cooper Dej]

Over your 15 years, who was your. Who's the funniest teammate that you had?

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, okay. There's some characters. Yeah, some characters.

[Cooper Dej]

Fifteen years.

[Brandon Graham]

There's gotta be, man. McCoy was a character. I ain't gonna lie. LaShawn McCoy. He is. He how he is on TV. I mean, he just. He was like that. But just imagine, now he on tv. He gotta be a little censored, but, man, when. Coming up, it was him. I mean, Slay was a good one, too. Slay was funny. Still funny.

[Reed Blankenship]

Still funny.

[Brandon Graham]

Let me see. That's a. That's a real good one. But. But McCoy was one because he just was just so honest. Even Saquon kind of like, funny because he's so honest about Saquon gets so mad. Yeah. Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Wait till we get past. Wait till we get past Fuel to the Fire, though. You can't mess with him. He can't stand it, though.

[Cooper Dej]

Thick one is.

[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

Vanda Pharmaceuticals innovate in the service of people's pursuit of happiness. Today we are partnering with my fitness pal. Yo, what you got going on over there, dude?

[Reed Blankenship]

Have you tried out this meal scanner on MyFitnessPal?

[Cooper Dej]

Apparently I need to, dude.

[Brandon Graham]

It's sick, bro.

[Reed Blankenship]

Like, I'm checking out the ones that we. The sandwich we ate.

[Cooper Dej]

That's sick.

[Reed Blankenship]

Tell you all the calories tells you everything, bro.

[Brandon Graham]

Wow. Crazy.

[Cooper Dej]

All right, let's try it out here. See what we got with the smoothie. Oh, we got a strawberry smoothie. One cup serving.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's it.

[Cooper Dej]

84 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fat, 1 gram of protein.

[Reed Blankenship]

Not a turkey sandwich.

[Cooper Dej]

Turkey. Turkey sandwich. White bread, lettuce, tomato. Pesto.

[Reed Blankenship]

Does have pesto.

[Cooper Dej]

Pesto on there. Wow, that's crazy. I didn't even see the pesto on there. You guys can scan your own meals with MyFitnessPal. Scan the QR code or click the link below to download myfitnesspal today. Welcome back to exciting mics presented by Vanda Pharmaceuticals. Let's talk about that first Super Bowl.

[Brandon Graham]

Okay.

[Cooper Dej]

That you had. 2017. First Super bowl for you and for Philly.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

Which was. Which was history. It is history. How do you think your. Your strip stack on Tom Brady and your victory against them, how did that impact your. Your legacy in. In the NFL and in Philly?

[Brandon Graham]

Well, it. It impacted it in a big way, man, because at the time, I was trying to get that label off me. And for me making that play against Brady, it was, like, always forgiven. I even unblocked a lot of people on social media because it was like I let go just as much as they let go. And we all just relished in that moment of, man, we won our first one. That was my first one in my career. Championship. I never made it to the championship at no level to even say that I lost or won one. So it was so cool to get to my first one, the ultimate super bowl at this level and play against somebody you been watching for a long time. Brady and I done seen Brady win a bunch of them in my basement where my dad. Well, my dad house. And we've watched the Super Bowls that Brady's won, and then I play against them in my first one. And to make that play against another Michigan, man, man, it changed my whole career. And like I say, it got better from that. It kept getting better year after year.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah. What was it like bringing the first super bowl home to Philadelphia that year?

[Reed Blankenship]

It was crazy.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, I can tell you that. You see how that. You see how that parade was? Ooh, just imagine it was like that, but 10 times crazier because you see how high we got hit with that. The reason why they wasn't letting them throw, because the first time people was throwing beers. I'm drinking them like I'm on my Stone Cold Steve often. Just having fun, drinking, you know, smashing them together, just going crazy. We had so much fun. But by the time I didn't know how long, it really was. So the first half, soon as we come out and we go on Broad, man, I was already done.

[Cooper Dej]

Oh, man.

[Brandon Graham]

And I had to sit down, go under real quick, take a little time, come back up, people were throwing more beers. I'm having fun. We got off. I mean, man, it was nothing like that first one, because everybody was just looking for that one, man. I mean, that was a very special one. And I was happy to pace myself this time the second time around and see y' all boys go crazy on y' all first one.

[Cooper Dej]

Nolan Q. Nolan.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, them boys had to hold them up, but I love that. Cause that's how I was my first one. And, man, you had to pace yourself, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

You don't experience anything. Like, you don't know if you get to experience that ever again. So you just might as well.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah, exactly.

[Brandon Graham]

You better.

[Reed Blankenship]

You better.

[Brandon Graham]

Better. Hey, what I say now? Relish in this moment, man. Enjoy it. Soak it all up like you can. Because as you see, we already back at the season. It feel like we just got done.

[Reed Blankenship]

Did it feel like that? Did it feel like that the first time? Yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

But you know what's not what I like about what y' all got going on? Like, I don't think it's gonna be no super bowl hangover. I feel like we did get a lot of people. We didn't have the same type of team that y' all got now. Like, y' all got a bunch of the guys back that we lost a lot. A lot of defensive guys, like Milton, them guys on the D line. But I still feel like there's a lot of guys under them that's ready to make their name, too.

[Reed Blankenship]

Like Mo and all them still play. Yeah, they still got playing time, too.

[Brandon Graham]

But the back end, man, how y' all boys playing? And then the linebackers, I mean, man, like, y' all in offense, everybody's still back. Nobody lost on the O line. I feel like it's gonna be a good one. And y' all boys got a great message. Like, I like what coach said about the perfume thing. He's like, you know, sniff it, smell it, smell good. But don't drink it. It's poison. Because you gotta put that work in. And it's a new team. Cause the new guys that come in, they gonna watch you. They gonna watch you. And it's how we work. It's what we doing every day consistently. And be you on what you can.

[Reed Blankenship]

Do consistently, you don't need to change a whole lot.

[Brandon Graham]

You ain't got to do. Be you and practice, man, like, one thing I can say, everything that show up out there on that practice field, it usually show up on the field. And, man, if y' all ain't killing the scout team, man, we in trouble, right? You know what I'm saying? We in trouble for real. Not saying that the scout team, them boys be balling, too. They be balling, too. But it's just. You know what I mean? Like, if coach telling you what plays is coming and you still get beat.

[Reed Blankenship]

On, you should kind of know exactly. You know, I feel that.

[Cooper Dej]

What do you think the difference was between? Or was there a difference between this year's team, this past year's team in 2017, 2018, team that won it all?

[Brandon Graham]

If I had to say the difference, it was just the people that was it. Because consistent, like, the details had to be good. I mean, it was a little bit of. Little bit of nice plays you got to make in the playoffs, because we can make it to the playoffs. But that's where it gets tough, as you can see. And just even. I can go back to just even. The Rams game, The Rams. You playing like a team like that. We had a team with the Falcons who was a real good team. And we got to the end. Like, when I tell you they on the goal line, it's 4 fin 1, and they gotta go, and they got Julio outside and they do a sprint out. And, man, it's like just the details of us knowing we was calling it out. Sprint out, sprint out. Everybody was on the same page. You see how, like, how it was in the super bowl even then. Like I say, the Rams game, like, JC Come in with the big play in shape for that moment. Because, man, if you ain't in shape for that moment, boy, that could be us not talking about. We talking about what we gonna do for this year. Cause I probably would have came back. Cause I definitely wasn't leaving out without another ring, you know? But it was. I say between the two, man, it's just. We just had different people, but the same things was there. The details, the practice hard, the love of the guys that you build to that. Because the going out to eat before the games, the stuff that y' all doing together as DBs, going out, learning each other. Because I think we was. I think I was more sad that it was over because of how together we became. You know what I'm saying? So, yeah, it's just. It's just. That's the difference. It was just difference of people, but it was the same thing.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

I feel like once I retire, the locker room parts, what I'm gonna miss. The more you don't get that. No, you don't. Like, high school, college, and like, now you just. You meet so many people, you build all these relationships, and then, you know, you're out of it, and you're like, there's nothing that could really mimic that unless you're in it again a little bit.

[Cooper Dej]

But not. Not even the same.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, but I don't know, man. Y' all boys, I'm telling you, man. Y' all boys, y' all got a lot of. A lot of people coming for y' all this year, but y' all ain't got to do nothing different because they was coming for us last year. Because after a while in the season, they like, man, we got to stop sequ. We got to do this. But it's like, man. Or we got to be able to run on the team or whatever they had to do where they thought our weakness was, it wasn't there.

[Reed Blankenship]

Right.

[Brandon Graham]

Because they still got to play the game.

[Reed Blankenship]

Just speaking of Saquon, when he was on here, he said something about us being the top. One of the top five teams all time. Like, what do you think about that?

[Brandon Graham]

I think so, too, man. If anything, I feel like, yeah, the 2017, I love that team because that was my first. But I feel like with this team, y' all probably would have beat our 2017 team. I think so. Cause Saquon put us over the top, boy. And our O line. We had a great O line. I say both ways, because JP man, hall of Fame guy, man, when he was playing in his prime, that boy was nice. And we didn't even have JP in the super bowl, but we had him for that season. He got hurt for the year. We had like five or six guys hurt for the year. But the people behind him, we had depth. And that's another thing. Even with that last question you said about what's special about the team, they always trying to have depth and people that's behind, that's learning, you see, we even took it to the next level with the player development. They really care about that and that's really important. Cause as guys behind, it's like, man, you never know when your mama gonna come. And man, Reed, your moment came. You know what I'm saying?

[Reed Blankenship]

No, it's a real thing.

[Brandon Graham]

It's a real thing.

[Reed Blankenship]

Real thing. You don't expect. You don't expect it at all.

[Brandon Graham]

You can't forget all that, man. That's why I say when I'm in this, I'm trying to serve other guys because I can only imagine what they going through, what you was going through when you didn't know until you knew and they gave you opportunity. And man, them picks just was coming and you was in the right spots because of the work you put in and, you know, everything else just handled itself. But don't ever forget that because that's what I tried to do. I always try to make sure I keep that chip on my shoulder. But I want to service guys too, because I need. In the moments when I don't care who make the play, just make it. I'm going to take flesh line off that. Because when you made that play, man, it was just like everybody, oh my goodness, everybody. When you made that play against the Saints, when you caught the pick, man, I was so tired, but boy, I'm like, thank you. You know what I'm saying? Reed, thank you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Everybody.

[Brandon Graham]

Everybody.

[Cooper Dej]

I was so happy.

[Reed Blankenship]

That's what we've said multiple times is just. We love watching people have successful because it's a lot.

[Cooper Dej]

Especially when you know him, especially when you work.

[Brandon Graham]

And man, every. It's plays to be made by everybody. That super bowl showed it. If you watch that whole sequence of plays from when we got the sacks to you catching the pick, the next one, Zach catching his pick, I mean, Devontae getting the dagger shoot, even 11, AJ going out there getting, getting the ball. And I mean, Saquon had a hell of a year and for him to not, not do nothing, it's okay. Saquon, you still balling you on Madden, you know what I'm saying? One game ain't gonna Hurt you. But that ring was so much better. You know what I'm saying?

[Reed Blankenship]

That's a good way to put it.

[Brandon Graham]

But I swear, he was so selfless, too. He probably wasn't even worried about it. He just wanted to win. Yeah. That's why I said, man, the people that you expected to ball in that game didn't like of him. He balled, but they. They. They was focused on him. Everybody else, man, open the door.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

That's what you want. What made y' all boys want to get into it? Because y' all know it's a commitment during the season. But I like what y' all doing, though.

[Reed Blankenship]

I don't know. I'm. We kind of threw it out to the media one day.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

And it blew up, and it kind of went back down until, I guess, media day at the Super Bowl. And I kept. I kept getting asked that. I'm sure you kept getting asked that.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

I was like, it's possible. It's possible. And obviously, I had no idea. I had nothing. I didn't know anything about how to do a podcast. Whatever.

[Brandon Graham]

Yep.

[Cooper Dej]

And honestly, I kind of brought it up and.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

Figured, you know, we got. Got a great team behind us that helps. Helps out. But I think it's. It's good for us just to be able to talk off the, like, outside the building.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

And I get, like, get to know our teammates.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

You know, more outside of the building as well.

[Reed Blankenship]

Like, which has been cool. I mean, fans know. I mean, who you are, different people are. They don't know a lot about Zach. Like, I didn't know that much about Zach Bond about his high school. Like, he was crazy athletic. You know, seeing. Getting Q on here. You know, just guys like that. That fans really don't know who they are until you get them outside of a helmet.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

You see them, and they're just normal people.

[Brandon Graham]

And I love. You know, because y' all had Q in his mind talking more than he ever. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. You build to. Because at first he, you know, wasn't. And then. Nah, it's like, when I see him, it's like, what up, man? Because we do all that stuff with. It started with the speed work with Eddie. Then it's like, man, you know, you just stay consistent with us and even with us, Coop. It's like, man, we don't hang all the time, but we hanging all the time, because I'm everywhere you at. And then you start building. We talk and.

[Reed Blankenship]

Cause that's what people Ask, like, do you hang out with them? I'm like, well, I legit hang out with all these guys throughout the. The day. Like, whatever we're doing, we're doing everything together. Like, I'm eating together. Like, we're doing everything.

[Brandon Graham]

Everything.

[Reed Blankenship]

So when I go home, it's like, maybe I need a little bit of break from everybody else, but.

[Brandon Graham]

But this bring you even more closer on some. Just, man, we. We working, but we. We having fun at the same time, too.

[Cooper Dej]

It's even brought us, like, closer.

[Brandon Graham]

Understand more about each other, for real. You know, I mean, I love that because I can see that. I can see it through the. Through the screen when y' all doing stuff together, and it's just like.

[Reed Blankenship]

It's all usual.

[Brandon Graham]

Even walking to the games together, all that. The whole. Whole thing that just kind of happened organically, and it turned into this.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah, you know, that's been sweet.

[Reed Blankenship]

Part of it, though.

[Cooper Dej]

You got both rings now what. What do you think about the difference between the two?

[Brandon Graham]

How big it is already fat. This one. I was expecting that anyway. Because, man, the second one. Two of them on there. Of course it was gonna be bigger than that first one. That first one still lead the way. But I'm so thankful for this second one, boy. Cause we all went out there and contributed in some way. But I went in, man. Just the whole design of it was sweet.

[Cooper Dej]

You wear both of them at the same one.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, yeah. I had to bring the other one. Had to do that before we got the new one. Just so y' all can see what it's going. What it look like. But then it just was like, oh, this ain't looking like this. This was a little smaller. Hey, but, man, I was so, so hyped, man, just to do it with y'. All. Cause y' all don't even realize what that does for Philly. And y' all are so stamped in Philly everywhere you go. I'm sure you can't go nowhere and eat nowhere, you know, in private. You gotta spread the wealth everywhere. But it's all love. It's all love. And they really do take care of their own. And y' all always have a home here, especially after winning this.

[Cooper Dej]

You talk a little about. A bit about the trash talk. What I've heard Kelsey talk about your trash talk and how. How he hated it sometimes because he's talking trash to the. Or you're talking trash to the people he's got to go up, up against. Yeah, but do you have a favorite moment from. I mean, I'm sure there's a lot.

[Reed Blankenship]

Of good mods switch and not even like just kind of go blank or.

[Brandon Graham]

It just come out based off what's going on. And I think my favorite now, after looking at all of them, being able to sit back and look at a lot of them, it was the one with Saquon when we was playing in the playoffs. And boy, oh, that was fun. That was a fun one. Because knowing how Saquon is now even more, it's like, how. Yeah, that was my best one, where Kelsey, like you said, didn't like. Because I'm talking to other guys. Like Lawrence. I forgot the D tackle name, but, you know, Dexter Lawrence.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

And he is a guy that I won't see in the game, but I'm letting him know we running right at you, so you better get your butt ready. And Kels didn't like that. Cause he, like, don't talk to my guys. Talk to the ones you gonna see. But Saquon, that was a fun one right there. Cause I knew he was. He knew. He had that look on his face like he already know what's about to happen. And I think that was my favorite one. And if I had to go another one, it was, you gotta ball the ones that you ball in that you talking stuff in. I played the Bills one time, and that was a fun one, too, because I was talking to the refs and everybody. Everybody got.

[Reed Blankenship]

Was that when we played them here?

[Brandon Graham]

No, we was there. We was there. It was a cold game, too, and I was balling that game. Had a nice little fourth and one stop against the quarterback, Josh Allen. He tried to do that little quarterback run outside, run my way, and boy stuffed it. And I think he fumbled, too. And it was a fun one. That was a good one.

[Reed Blankenship]

Like, how does it just pop up in your head that fast? You just flow with it.

[Brandon Graham]

I just flow with it. Sometimes I'll be like, man, what was I talking about, bro?

[Reed Blankenship]

If I try to say anything, I get so jumbled up. I'm like, I'm just gonna shut up, bro.

[Brandon Graham]

I can't say anything. You know when I get jammed up like that is when I'm trying to say a speech on a breakdown. It's like, oh, man, that didn't come out right. Or you might say something that's wild, where it's like, oh, man, pause on that one.

[Reed Blankenship]

All these young guys. Yeah, I say young guys. I'm young, too, but still, like, you.

[Brandon Graham]

About to be a vet soon.

[Reed Blankenship]

Right in the middle, right There.

[Brandon Graham]

You know what I'm saying? Right there, right in the middle, you.

[Cooper Dej]

Got a favorite player or team that you like to talk trash to.

[Brandon Graham]

Dallas, man, I used to talk so much against them. Because you just developed that. Mm. Because they fans. Cause they fans, man, when they win, I'm telling you, they fans come out of nowhere. All I remember one time we lost to them and we was both good, and we ended up losing to them. It was a good game. And all I get is L L under all my stuff. All these fans spamming me, spamming my Instagram saying, l L. How about that? How about this? And ever since then, boy, they been the top of my list. So everybody can get it in Dallas. And I'm gonna keep saying it. I love it. Even the fans.

[Reed Blankenship]

I love it. I love it. Thank you. Actually be a part of it now. You can say whatever you want. Yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

I ain't gonna go crazy, though. I ain't gonna go crazy. Cause I don't want nobody come looking for me. But I do. I am gonna talk my stuff. Cause that first game, man, I can already envision it coming out. Both trophies. Yeah. What up? We walking out together. Then we got the banner coming down. Oh, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

Has anybody, like, kind of matched your energy on opposing team?

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, yeah. Philip Rivers. He's a guy that was. He was. He was elite, too. And they beat up.

[Reed Blankenship]

He don't cuss, though.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, no, I know he don't, but how about you? Like, he hit me. Boy, he hit me so hard, they scored. I think it was. Why? Can I think of the hall of Fame? Hall of Fame tight end that just got it. Antonio Gates, my guy from Detroit, he from Detroit, too. Boy, he hit me on my butt so hard. Like, how you like that? You know, Just going back and it was so like, okay, now you got me hot. You got me hot. I'm ready to go now.

[Cooper Dej]

What's the key to trash talking? If you're gonna teach a class on trash talking, what do you think would be the main point?

[Brandon Graham]

Know some stuff that you don't think they know. Don't get too crazy. Where they looking for you outside of the crazy. Yeah, you don't want to go. You don't want to. Stay away from old lady. Don't talk about a man old lady. You stay away from all the personal, the kids and all that. Off limits. But if it's anything pertaining to him or that person who I'm talking about, man, it's free game. You know, it's your fault that you ain't do no homework on me, but you better do your homework coming in. And you hear a lot all week about what your coach say about his game. And you get little tips of like, okay, I would just say, like a guy say, like, receivers, I know they prima donna. So we used to say, DEZ Bryant. Oh, yeah, if DEZ Bryant ain't getting none, he gonna be pouting on the sideline. CD Lamb kind of liked that too, a little bit, but not like how DEZ was. And I remember the scouting report was just saying, like, yeah, if they don't give him the ball right off the rip, you gonna take him out of this game. And I used to be like, oh, yeah, they can't. You getting strapped. That's why you ain't out there. That's why you can't get the ball to you. You can't get warmed up, huh? You know what I'm saying? All that little stuff. And, man, sometimes they come back at you, sometimes they laugh, sometimes they ignore you until they ball, and then they wanna come talk. I be like, man, you should have been talking in the beginning. I don't respect that, man, I need you to talk. You know what I'm saying? So that's what I would say. Do your homework.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah. What do you think you'll be feeling week one against the Cowboys when you see that banner drop and you get to watch us run out there?

[Brandon Graham]

Man, I'm gonna be hurt. I'm gonna be hurt but happy at the same time. Cause it's like, oh, I want to get out there with them boys. Because it's just the new normal for me. I gotta get used to my new normal. And I'm really uncomfortable right now. Even though I got a lot of opportunity, it's just bar been my life. I love imposing my will on the next man, talking my stuff. And it's just something about it, man.

[Reed Blankenship]

Something you can't do for 40 something years, man.

[Brandon Graham]

You can't do it for 40 years. And even for me now, I think about the stuff that you gotta do for your. Like, I'm done taking hits on my body now. It's just about working out, looking good. But I am going to feel a little sting. That's just like with my locker when I lost that, I was hurt. Then it just became part of life. I don't even think about that no more. So once we get through that first game and then we're going through the season, I think it'll be the same way. I just. I know what I'm Doing. I know where I'm at, and now it's just supporting. And when y' all make plays, I'm out there running on the field, hopefully. Hey, jumping up. Let's go. And then I can talk my stuff. Yeah, boy, this what I would have did if I was out there. Y' all are already know, but, yeah, I'm excited for y', all, man. That's what I can't wait. Can't wait to watch. Yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

Who are the top. Your top three quarterbacks that you got to play against? Top three, your 15 year career.

[Brandon Graham]

Well, I mean, Tom Brady, for one. Then Aaron Rodgers in his prime, boy, problem he was, man, he was. Even though he only won one championship. But my first year, that was our. That was my first game. We. And we had the. Oh, we had the Kelly green. Not this Kelly Green that y' all seen. It was like an old school. It was all Kelly Green jersey. None of the stuff that we got now, but just had the white letters and it's all green. And then we had like a tan type of pant. It was sweet. It was sweet still. And the socks was the same like how y' all got now. But we played the packers that first game. We ended up losing to them. That was the first game Vick got in to become the starter for that year because Kevin Cobb got hurt. He got concussed, and that's when Vick took off. But Aaron Rodgers, man, that boy, y' all see the dimes that he was throwing, even when he was with the packers is just like, man, dimes. So him. Then you got. If I had to go my third, I gotta get much respect. Tony Romo was a good one, man, when he was on fire, that boy was on fire. I liked his game. I mean, we played him a lot, so it was good back and forth. And, yeah, those are my top three. And then, you know, of course, I gotta say, Jalen, I mean, we play against him every day. I mean, every day. Seeing the adversity that he. I mean, the stuff that he's going through, seeing all the people that's talking, all they stuff, it's like, man, he brings. He brings so much that you gotta play against with him. And then it just. What I love is he ain't worried about all that. And I mean, my home for sure is another good one. But if I had to go my top three, that's what I would say. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers. And I just had to go old school because those guys I played a lot with. Tony Romo.

[Cooper Dej]

Yo, Reid, you still owe me for that cheesesteak.

[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

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[Reed Blankenship]

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[Cooper Dej]

Now. Reed, you gonna cash at me back for that cheesesteak?

[Brandon Graham]

Reed?

[Cooper Dej]

I walked into my garage yesterday and it felt like a sign.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, this Philly heat, no joke.

[Cooper Dej]

So I got like 10 bags of ice and made my own ice bath just to cool off.

[Reed Blankenship]

Coop, why don't you just turn on your ac?

[Cooper Dej]

Because I was trying to be energy efficient. You know, go green, go birds.

[Brandon Graham]

Right?

[Reed Blankenship]

Or instead of icing yourself out, you could just check out Pico's energy saving rebates. They've got deals on energy star cooling equipment that actually work and can cut your bills.

[Cooper Dej]

So no more ice?

[Reed Blankenship]

Nah, man. Unless it's the ice around your neck.

[Cooper Dej]

Oh, that's what's up.

[Reed Blankenship]

Just head to pico.com ways to save. They've got tilts for everything. Heating, cooling, lighting, you name it.

[Cooper Dej]

That's pico.comwaystosave welcome back to exciting Mics presented by Van the Pharmaceuticals. Let's. Let's talk about what you've got into off. Off the field since. Since retirement. Even. Even while you were playing.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, yeah.

[Cooper Dej]

What. What are some of your. Your interests outside of football? And what. What have you got into?

[Brandon Graham]

Well, since.

[Cooper Dej]

Since you were.

[Brandon Graham]

Well, honestly, man, right now I've been in the beverage space. I got in the beverage space because a guy that used to play here, Dahani Jones, he went to Michigan with me. He was with a guy named Ben Weiss. He. He's. He's over this drink called Bai B A I and sold his company and him and Nahani got real close and he wanted to. He started this new venture with. It's called Crooked tea. It's a new hard tea and zero sugar, zero carbs. We all about what we call it the bevolution. We trying to change the way we drink. It's a bunch of garbage and the ingredients and a lot of stuff and they don't even tell you what most of the stuff that you're drinking. So we just wanted to start something that was when you drinking better for you drink and you don't have to feel bad. Cause like we say, zero carbs, zero sugar, gluten free. And I feel like that's where everybody's kind of going. And with Dhani speaking my name. Cause he wanted to start in Philly and make sure that we take over Philly. My name got brought up and now we partners, man. And he kind of. I had some stuff I wanted to do, but then this kind of caught my attention and now I'm doing this way more and it just kind of took over because, man, when you get done, you think you know what you want to do. And this space is a great space. Cause I think I'm going to do some podcast stuff too. But that is what's been taking over for me and for this summer at least. And us winning the super bowl has just amplified everything. And now just trying to. We trying to go after all the bad drinks that's out there for me.

[Cooper Dej]

Have you got your son into football? Has he been. He been playing football?

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah. Right now he in a cast. So he broke his team.

[Cooper Dej]

I saw him at smitty things.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah, at smitty things. He broke his pinky playing basketball. And now he just had. They had camp today. He did it. He could still catch and do all his stuff now. He's used to having the cast on and he get it out on Thursday. But yeah, little adversity. Little adversity for him. Yeah, little adversity. But I like that how he handled it. He was crying at first in the beginning. Now it's just part of life now he's still doing the thing. Same thing. We out there throwing the ball, he's shooting the ball. And I don't see no difference in him at all.

[Reed Blankenship]

Will you ever be like his coach now?

[Brandon Graham]

I would. I think now. Now that I'm in this space where I can kind of get creative on my schedule, I want to make sure that they are the priority and have flexibility while still having purpose outside of. So if I feel like if I was. If I could coach them, I will. But I do a lot of stuff outside where we doing a Lot of baseball stuff with him. He's hitting the ball, taking them to coaches to get better in that, and then taking them like he's at football camp. And it's cool to see him going through drills, learning, getting footwork stuff, hand, eye coordination. Just. Man, I really. For him, I just want him to do whatever it is. It ain't even got to be sports. I just want him to just have the street smarts that he need to be able to move around in this world and know what and to be a great service to people like he See me, because my daughter, she is so outgoing. She is me. She loves school. She just the leader of the charge. And I was the oldest, too, so she gonna learn a lot by experience or by listening to some people that's ahead of her. It depends on where she want to go. Cause sometimes she thinks she know more than me. So it be like, all right, then you gonna have to learn on your own then on that one, hopefully you hear me in your mind, you know, in those. Mom. But my son is more of an observer, so I like that about him. I think that they could both benefit off that from each other. Like, I tell them all the time, you gotta take care of your sister sometimes. If you see something, man, make sure you tell her. And the same goes for her. If you see something that Bryson doing, you know, just be there for each other. Cause sometimes, you know how it go. Friends come over, and then you forget about your brother. That's my daughter. And I'll be like, nah. Cause when y' all come home, y' all two gonna be together. So y' all gotta make sure y' all do that. So I try to push that a lot.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Brandon Graham]

With them.

[Cooper Dej]

That's sweet.

[Reed Blankenship]

They got a good role model.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah. I mean, man, I try to. Try to be the best. And if I don't know something, I feel like I got the right. I got a good group of people around me, community to be able to handle. Handle a lot of things if. If need be.

[Cooper Dej]

You think I already know your answer to this, but. So I'm gonna ask. I'm gonna ask it this way.

[Brandon Graham]

Okay.

[Cooper Dej]

Why. Why do you think Philly is the best sports city out there?

[Brandon Graham]

I feel like just Even the blue collar, like, gritty, man, getting your face let you know. I mean, that's. That's me growing up in Detroit. They just. That's why I feel like it's a great sports city, because it's like, man, you go. They. You see what you get, what you see. Anyway, I mean, like what you see on tv, that's exactly you. The. The brotherly love they show. I've been on both sides of it. When they hating you and then when they loving you. And I'm so happy to be on the loving side of things because, boy, when they hating you and they telling you, get out of here, they making the fans, making videos about you, get him out of here. You know, all the people, the influencers and all them people, they on your head. But that's what makes Philly a great sports city for me, because if you can win them over, which we did later on in my career, it's well worth it, man. And, man, that's when you know you got something good because they get under your skin. You try not to pay attention to some of the stuff that's going on outside, but it's hard not to. It's on the screen. Then you start, then don't be with somebody that you see every day. And then. Oh, that's how you was talking yesterday. Okay. I appreciate you keeping that chip on my shoulder. You know what I'm saying? I'm gonna make you eat them words. And that was always, like, my type of. That's what kind of got me back, too. Of course, the Lord, definitely, that's my biggest thing, just staying close to the lor, Making sure that I'm in my word every day, saying my prayers, and then doing what we supposed to do by putting the work in every day on what I can control and what I can consistently do. And, man, that was my biggest thing. I say, man, when I get a chance, when I got back from this knee, I say, they gonna eat the words that came out they mouth. And that was always been my motto, even every year. And sometimes I make up in my mind, like, how he trying to get rid of me. All right. I think he trying to get rid of me this year. Yeah, you're gonna draft this guy. You gonna do this? All right, bet. And then just keep that chip on your shoulder. So I would say don't never get comfortable. Cause. And don't never take it personal. Because they gotta make sure the organization get better. Because we gotta have depth, as you say. Cause you don't know people get hurt. You have guys come in and help them guys as you go. Cause I had to grow up and learn to change from, you know, like, how to be. How to separate the business side from the personal. Because I could be sitting here talking with Howie all day, and we cool on the personal. But, man, this is My job. And I gotta bring guys in that's gonna relieve you. So, hey, at the same time, if this guy beat you, hey, man, that's good for me too. That's my job. So I think when I learned that and I got better with that, I started using that to fuel me. Instead of, like taking it out on, like, being me and not even speaking to Howie. Cause it's like, man, I ain't trying to hear that, man. You fake, you know, or whatever. Like, you know how I go. Young me. Young me was. I just wasn't good with that. With people laughing in my face and being all cool and then. Yeah, but it's tough, but it's like, just know it ain't personal. And so that's where I had to get better with not taking things personal. Cause of the love that you are trying to. I'm genuinely showing you love, but I gotta know that it's a cutoff where he gotta do his job too. So just make sure that you come in and you know that, you know, it's gonna. I'm gonna make it hard, whoever they bring in. Cause I'm gonna be bringing it too, right.

[Reed Blankenship]

What do you hope your legacy is for the city? Like, as a player and a person?

[Brandon Graham]

I hope for my legacy is just, man, that I brought the excitement, the positivity in the negative world. Because as you know, man, it's so negative sometimes, even when we win and they trying to. Trying to tear you apart, they trying to find little bits. Oh, man, they ain't doing this. It was all about the passing game, but we winning games and they trying to get us to go against each other. I want people to say that I stood tall in those hard moments and I wanted to serve the guys genuinely and wanted to see people get to where they trying to go. And took out my ego on wherever I was in my career, I learned I was able to serve and I was able to bring a good energy to the game. And man, and I went out on a nice out, you know, of winning the super bowl and just going into the sunset, going off into the sunset of whatever is next for me. But really just, man, just a person of just being a great teammate. That's really what I wanted. And of course, making plays, of course. But, like, if I don't go hall of Fame or nothing like that, I'm cool with all that. I'm just more of, man. I'm just thankful that I was able to be genuinely somebody that I could consistently be every day. And really, from the Heart. I just wanted to see guys win as I got better in my career on just. Just being a leader. Absolutely.

[Cooper Dej]

We've had the joy of being able to watch you and.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. Play with you, too.

[Cooper Dej]

Play with you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. And just learn from you.

[Cooper Dej]

See the leader that you are.

[Reed Blankenship]

I want to try and be a leader like you, you know, take pieces what you do and what you have brought to this, to this organization. And I'll carry that throughout my career, so.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, yeah, man. And just. Just be you. But just know that. Just be genuinely trying to help some people, even when you trying to help yourself, because that's what's going to service you to get to where you're going by helping others and, man. Cause you already know what you gotta do. You already know what you gotta do. I trust I got so much confidence in my game. If I'm right, if I'm eating right and I'm looking good and I'm in shape, man, I could play with the best of them. But I need somebody to get to the state. I need somebody to be able to relieve me, too, and be just as good or even better. Because I know you got here for a reason. I know you got here for a reason. Y' all got personal goals. I got personal goals. But how can we all coexist and get the same win with the super bowl and still hit all our goals at the same time? Because when we all. When we win, we all win. As y' all can see, y' all out here living doing it. You, you. You doing a bunch outside of this. Making a lot. Making a lot. You doing a bunch. That opportunities that came this way for everybody, winning, even the low guys, getting opportunities that they normally get. Getting keys to the city or getting names like. Like Nolan, I see got a whole road after him in his hometown. Cause people ain't never did that where he from and stuff like that. So that's why I say, man, you gotta know, take your ego and stuff out of it. Because when we all win, we all win. And so I just say that to y', all, man. When y' all wanna. When y' all feeling a certain way on how coaches and them playing you or start acting funny, it's like, nah, man, you know what I'm gonna go against. I'm gonna do the hard right thing to do, and that's not complain. And pow. I'm gonna be content because I'm here. I made it to the league. It might not be like I wanted it to in some areas, but I'm still In the NFL. I dream to be here. And it's a little road that I got a uphill battle I gotta do. And so, man, y' all boys just. Just stay true to that, man. And don't let nobody, don't let anybody steal your joy. That's what I. That's what I tried to bring it every day because I'm like, man, I don't care if people be mad because I'm happy all the time. I'm smiling. It's like, man, you need to. Okay, I might need to take some notes from. In certain moments, like, you know, when a five minute situation where I gotta go somewhere, man, I gotta take a couple pictures with people and then turn into 15. Cause it's like I got everybody else now. I want a picture. You take one, you gotta take a bunch. You know what I'm saying? But I'm getting better with just like, just, all right, y', all, I gotta go. All right. But I've learned that from other people. But man, I'm gonna be me. Cause I can consistently do that. I'm happy every day. I'm thankful. Cause I don't know when my day gonna be. I don't know when nobody day gon my. My family, all that stuff. So I try to make the best of it and try to think about those little things of being content where. Where we at, man. So y' all boys always think about that, man. Cause man, life is too short and how y' all want to be remembered when y'. All, you know. Yeah, when we are gone. Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Well, we appreciate you for joining us for episode nine.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah. And great.

[Brandon Graham]

Make sure you go follow episode nine.

[Cooper Dej]

Episode nine, go follow BG on social media at sack underscore55. Philly legend. Appreciate you joining us.

[Brandon Graham]

I appreciate y' all having me. For real. This was cool.

[Cooper Dej]

And we're back with another segment of the Fan Rapid Fire Q A. We have Caitlyn joining us right now. Caitlin, welcome to the show. Where are you from?

[Brandon Graham]

I am from Oregon, but living in Indiana now.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, wow, Nice.

[Cooper Dej]

We're going across the country. Across the country. What is your.

[Brandon Graham]

Just moved.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah, go ahead. You just moved there?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, just moved to the Midwest, so.

[Brandon Graham]

It'S brand new for me here, but I'm enjoying it so far.

[Cooper Dej]

Midwest is a great place. It's awesome.

[Reed Blankenship]

The south is better.

[Cooper Dej]

I love the Midwest. What is your hard hitting question that you have for us?

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah, I wanted to know what your.

[Brandon Graham]

Guys'S favorite sweet treat was.

[Cooper Dej]

Oh, boy.

[Reed Blankenship]

Was. Still is.

[Brandon Graham]

Still is.

[Reed Blankenship]

Dude. I Have a couple.

[Cooper Dej]

It's got your roos for me.

[Reed Blankenship]

What's that?

[Cooper Dej]

It's like a Rice Krispie bar with peanut butter and then chocolate.

[Reed Blankenship]

Mine.

[Cooper Dej]

It's a Midwest thing, actually.

[Brandon Graham]

Is it? Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. I never heard of it.

[Brandon Graham]

I'll have to try it.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah, you do.

[Reed Blankenship]

I like KitKats. I'm a big fan of KitKats.

[Cooper Dej]

That's so boring, bro.

[Reed Blankenship]

And you know the little Nutella to go stick things? Oh, yeah, those, bro.

[Cooper Dej]

I got another one. Puppy Chow.

[Brandon Graham]

Oh, yes, exactly.

[Reed Blankenship]

What's that?

[Brandon Graham]

You know what? Puppy Chow.

[Reed Blankenship]

I agree.

[Cooper Dej]

Oh, I'm gonna.

[Reed Blankenship]

Although, in Oregon, you don't call it that.

[Brandon Graham]

That's. It's something else.

[Cooper Dej]

But what do you call it? What do you call it?

[Brandon Graham]

It just like, Chex Mix, I guess.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, it's Chex Mix, but it's candy check mix, but it's like powdered sugar specific.

[Brandon Graham]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Oh, crack candy or something. What's it called?

[Cooper Dej]

No.

[Reed Blankenship]

Puppy Chow.

[Cooper Dej]

We appreciate you joining us, though.

[Reed Blankenship]

Thank you.

[Cooper Dej]

That was a great question.

[Reed Blankenship]

Thank you.

[Cooper Dej]

Thank you.

[Brandon Graham]

Thank you.

[Reed Blankenship]

Enjoy your rings and go Birds. Go Birds. Yes.

[Cooper Dej]

Our next guest, this guy came prepared. Our boy Josh. He's got the jerseys 32 and 33, hanging up behind him. Love that. Where you come. Where are you calling in from, brother?

[Brandon Graham]

So I'm coming from Maple glen, just.

[Cooper Dej]

About 30 minutes outside of Philly.

[Reed Blankenship]

Nice.

[Cooper Dej]

I can hear the Philly accent. I love that. What's your question you got for us? So what I got for you guys is pretty much, what's a hometown gem? Like either a restaurant or just a joint that you guys will recommend somebody visiting for the first time on?

[Reed Blankenship]

Wow. I got one.

[Cooper Dej]

I mean, I only have one restaurant.

[Reed Blankenship]

In my hometown, so it's not even a restaurant.

[Cooper Dej]

It's a bar. It's like a bar grill.

[Reed Blankenship]

Ours is, you just drive up and there's, like, no sitting. There's picnic tables, but other than that, it's called Christos. And it's like right across, or I say right down the street from my high school, where my high school is. And, dude, I used to get a corn dog from there. Bacon cheeseburger, dude, it's. So I say squeezy, but. But are you. And you went back to my hometown, hit up Christos.

[Cooper Dej]

We got a place called the Bowling Alley that's really good. It's got good steaks. I usually get. I don't usually get the steak. I usually get chicken strips and cheese balls. That's my go to order with barbecue.

[Reed Blankenship]

Sauce, chicken strips and cheese balls.

[Brandon Graham]

That sounds pretty far.

[Cooper Dej]

It's called Bowling alley, but there's not actually a bowling alley, but there was back in the day. It's just closed now now. So that's a go to spot. And then there's also like a drive in diner type type place. It's only open during. I think it's only open during the summer. So it's right next to the pool. It's called the Bolt, which is also a really good spot. I usually get the same thing from there too.

[Reed Blankenship]

So chicken strips and cheese balls.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah, it's my go.

[Reed Blankenship]

They're like cheese curds.

[Cooper Dej]

Cheese balls. Cheese curds. Same thing. But the cheese balls are freaking gas, gas, gas.

[Brandon Graham]

I sound gas.

[Cooper Dej]

Yeah.

[Reed Blankenship]

Yeah. We appreciate you.

[Cooper Dej]

Appreciate you, brother. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me.

[Brandon Graham]

Go Birds, baby.

[Reed Blankenship]

Go Birds.

[Cooper Dej]

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Exciting Mics.

[Reed Blankenship]

Remember to like comment, share and subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast.

[Cooper Dej]

Drop your questions in the comment section below and you could be featured in the next episode.

[Reed Blankenship]

We always love your support and we appreciate you. Go birds.

[Cooper Dej]

Go Birds.

[Reed Blankenship]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds at Mint Mobile. We're bringing back our promotion every three month plan for $15 a month.

[Brandon Graham]

Give it a try at mintmobile.com switch upfront. 10 $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of network busy. Taxes and fees extra. Cmno. Com.