Recently retired Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who was praised for his dealings with local and national media during the previous season and his entire career, has been selected as the 2025 Good Guy Award winner by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).
Graham, the 21st Good Guy Award winner, is the third member of the Eagles franchise to win the award, joining two-time winner Chris Long (2018, 2019) and Jason Kelce (2023). Eagles players have been presented four total Good Guy Awards, the most among NFL franchises.
Other finalists for the Good Guy Award were Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin and Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.
The Good Guy Award is given to an NFL player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs. The award has been presented annually by the PFWA since 2005.
Graham, a finalist for the Good Guy Award the past three years (2023-25), announced his retirement from pro football in March 2025 after a 15-year career – all with the Eagles and a pair of Super Bowl titles including a return from a triceps injury to play in Super Bowl LIX, an 44-20 victory over Kansas City in his final NFL game. Graham was also a two-time Eagles nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Graham thoughtfully answered questions, even as the media line at his locker grew. For local reporters, he has long been a go-to quote. He was not only readily available during open locker room periods, but he gave insight into the Eagles and NFL-related issues, no matter how sensitive the subject.
“For a chunk of Brandon Graham’s 15 years with the Eagles, he would playfully tease reporters at the end of media availability by shouting ‘locker room’s closed!’ and follow it with his trademark laugh. The shame for reporters is they will no longer hear that from Graham anymore. His honesty, enthusiasm, and accessibility helped reporters do their jobs,” said Zach Berman, the PFWA Philadelphia chapter president who covers the Eagles for PHLY. “In both his introduction with the team and his retirement ceremony, Graham went around the room and embraced every reporter — a sign of his professional respect. But that within itself does not make him the recipient of this award. Graham’s perspective was shaped by being a first-round pick on the verge of being cut to becoming one of the most iconic players in franchise history — with a game-clinching sack in the Super Bowl to show for it — and he used that perspective to offer unique insight. He was always available, no matter the outcome, and he recognized the jobs of the reporters who came through the locker room. He built meaningful relationships and made time even with seemingly endless demands. If this award is meant for someone with the qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs, the award could just as soon be named after him.”
Graham played in 11 regular-season games in 2024, and recorded 3.5 sacks to help lead Philadelphia to the No. 1 total defense ranking. He registered four quarterback pressures, three QB hits, one pass defense and a sack in a 37-20 Week 12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 24, and his second-quarter sack of Rams QB Matthew Stafford moved him into third all-time on the Eagles’ career sack list with 76.5. He was placed on Reserve/Injured and missed the final six regular season games and first three playoff contests with a triceps injury suffered in the victory over the Rams before he was returned to the Eagles active roster for the Super Bowl.
GOOD GUY AWARD WINNERS (To a NFL player for his qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job) Year indicates when award was presented for previous season: 2005 – Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers); 2006 – Tiki Barber (New York Giants); 2007 – LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers); 2008 – Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers); 2009 – Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals); 2010 – Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints); 2011 – Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers); 2012 – Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos); 2013 – Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons); 2014 – Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks); 2015 – Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks); 2016 – Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers); 2017 – Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals); 2018 – Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles); 2019 – Chris Long (Philadelphia Eagles); 2020 – Eli Manning (New York Giants); 2021 – Philip Rivers (Indianapolis Colts); 2022 – Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers); 2023 – Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles); 2024 – C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans); 2025 – Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles)
