“You Could Tell It Was Real”: Brandon Graham’s Shocking On-Air Retirement Confession Stuns Jason Kelce

In a heartfelt and unexpected moment on the New Heights podcast, Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham dropped a bombshell about his retirement that left his longtime teammate, Jason Kelce, momentarily speechless. The episode, which aired in early April 2025, offered fans an emotional glimpse into the bond between two of the franchise’s most beloved players, while also shedding light on Graham’s mindset as he closed the book on his illustrious 15-year NFL career. Graham’s candid confession about his decision to retire after winning Super Bowl LIX, coupled with his reflections on Kelce’s own retirement, sparked a conversation that resonated deeply with Eagles fans and the broader NFL community.

Graham, who announced his retirement on March 18, 2025, after a storybook ending with a second Super Bowl ring, joined the Kelce brothers, Jason and Travis, to discuss his final season and what lies ahead. The defensive end, known for his game-changing strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, had always hinted at the possibility of returning for a 16th season. However, during his retirement press conference, he revealed that the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory was the decisive factor in his choice to walk away. “If I ain’t make it back to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn’t be up here right now,” Graham admitted, his voice thick with emotion. “I promise you, I’d be begging to come on back one more.”

This revelation hit Jason Kelce hard. The former Eagles center, who retired in 2024 after 13 seasons, had been Graham’s teammate for over a decade, sharing the highs of a Super Bowl victory in 2018 and the lows of countless grueling seasons. On New Heights, Kelce praised Graham’s tenacity, calling him “the embodiment of what it means to be a Philadelphia Eagle.” But when Graham elaborated on how the Super Bowl win “freed” him to retire, Kelce fell silent, clearly moved by the weight of his friend’s words. “You could tell it was real,” Travis Kelce noted, breaking the brief pause. “That’s what makes B.G. so special—he’s all heart.”

Graham’s confession wasn’t just about his own journey; it also touched on his regret that Kelce couldn’t share in the 2025 Super Bowl triumph. “I wish you could’ve been out there with us, man,” Graham told Kelce, his tone a mix of gratitude and sorrow. Kelce, now a rising media star with a successful podcast and ESPN gigs, retired a year before the Eagles’ second championship. While he’s embraced life after football with grace, Graham’s words underscored the bittersweet reality of their divergent paths. “I don’t know that anybody represented what it is to be a Philadelphia Eagle more than Brandon,” Kelce responded, his voice cracking slightly. “But yeah, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sting a little, missing that last ride.”

The conversation took a lighter turn as Graham shared anecdotes from their time together, including his first impression of Kelce’s “wild hair” and their shared frustration over sitting at the back of team flights. Yet, the emotional undercurrent remained. Graham’s decision to retire wasn’t easy, especially after a torn triceps injury in Week 12 of the 2024 season. Despite the injury, he fought to return for the Super Bowl, re-tearing his triceps in the process. Kelce lauded Graham’s grit, describing him as a “pit bull” who sacrificed his body for one final shot at glory. “That’s the kind of competitor he is,” Kelce said. “Even at 36, he had more left in the tank.”

For Eagles fans, the episode was a poignant reminder of the “Core Four”—Graham, Kelce, Fletcher Cox, and Lane Johnson—who defined an era of Eagles football. With Cox and Kelce already retired, and Graham now joining them, only Johnson remains active. The New Heights discussion also sparked debate about Kelce’s absence from Graham’s retirement ceremony, with some fans expressing disappointment online. However, Kelce’s heartfelt words on the podcast dispelled any notions of a rift, proving their bond remains unbreakable.

As Graham looks to his future, possibly in coaching or media, he’s clear about staying connected to Philly. “I’m not going cold turkey,” he said, hinting at a role with the Eagles organization. Kelce, meanwhile, continues to cement his post-NFL legacy, but Graham’s revelation reminded everyone that their shared history on the field is a story of brotherhood, sacrifice, and triumph that will endure.