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EXTON — Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham addressed a mostly student audience of about 1,500 on “The Importance of Community” Monday night.
A sea of Eagles Green listened to Graham talk seemingly off-the-cuff, answer prepared questions, take questions from the audience and sign hundreds of footballs, helmets and jerseys, while posing for photos.
Graham joyfully flapped his arms like a bird to the Eagles chant in the Robert A. Boyer Gymnasium, at Downingtown East High School.
The program was hosted by the Downingtown Area School District’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Unsurprisingly the very first audience question was asked by a young male student concerning Graham’s major role in the Eagles 2018 Super Bowl win.
“What was it like after you had the strip sack of Tom Brady?” asked the boy. The audience went wild.
“I just couldn’t believe it happened to somebody like him,” Graham said, about the famed quarterback. “It still feels good.”
And what was it like as the clock ticked down.
“It was a moment, I just couldn’t believe we won,” he said. “It wasn’t over yet until I could see 0:0.”
The defensive end imparted many of life’s lessons.
“I just want to spread the love,” Graham said. “You gotta have kindness.
“You’ve got to be the bigger person. Don’t let someone take you out of your positive attitude.”
Prior to the event, the future Hall of Famer said that those in his position are role models whether they choose to be, or not.
“I’ve got this platform,” he said. “Let’s use it to play it forward.”
Show kindness and constancy, he told the attentive audience. Set goals and follow through.
“Your grades are how you show you are serious,” he said. “Do your homework before you play.
“Do it every day. Life is not easy. You’ve got to be able to find your safe space.”
Make sound choices.
“You know what’s right or wrong and then it’s on you to make that hard, right choice,” he said. “Fight for that goal.
“Focus. It’s not going to just come to you. One day at a time.”
”Some are not as consistent in the weight room, that’s why they get hurt.”
The Pro Bowler talked about thinking big.
“It’s all about your mindset,” he said. “Don’t let anybody talk you out of your dreams.
“”You’ve got to believe in your dreams. I believe in the dream so much. I need you all to believe in the dream.”
Team work is necessary.
“You’ve got to have that togetherness,” he said. “Make sure to lock in and stay focused—do the right things,” Graham said. “It’s not just about me, it’s what we do consistently every day.”
The University of Michigan grad and 13th draft pick overall talked about his disappointing, slow start in the NFL. After making three sacks against the Jets in 2016, the tables turned.
“It was starting to trend upward,” he said. “I was not feeling sorry for myself.
“Don’t look at it as too much of a failure. What could I have done better?
“I’m more critical of myself. It’s okay if you fail. It’s more about what you learned.”
Graham uses positive self-talk.
“You can’t talk negative to yourself,” he said. “You’ve got to be that shining light.
“I’m going to be the positive light.”
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