Eagles defensive end and Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham was in South Philadelphia early Tuesday morning to help some people working in the city get their day started on Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on May 23. , replaced shoulder pads with barista aprons.
A lifelong Eagle and fan favorite, he helped bring the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory in 2018, scoring the decisive strip sack over Tom Brady in the closing minutes of Super Bowl LII vs. Newsburg. , responsible for one of the greatest plays in Philadelphia sports history. England Patriots.
The former 2010 first-round pick works a lot on Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day for the cause, as $1 from every iced coffee sold goes to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. It contributed to boosting the vitality of the Philadelphia people’s mornings.
During the event, the 13-year NFL veteran helped serve guests and distribute Dunkin-branded merchandise. Next to the defensive end star was 4-year-old Freddie Burns, a cancer patient at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware and a sports enthusiast from Philadelphia.
Local proceeds will support various children’s hospitals in Greater Philadelphia, including Cooper Children’s Regional Hospital, Lehigh Valley-Riley Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Health Hospital in Delaware, and St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital.
Graham interviewed the media while on duty at Dunkin, detailing the Foundation and people’s reactions to seeing him that morning.
“They’re excited about this season. I’m excited to see them because they’re here. It’s always nice to be able to meet the fans and talk about the season during the offseason,” he said. “Most of the time we talk about football, but depending on how much time we spend together, sometimes we get to know the person.”
Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day raised $1.8 million for the 2022 Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which will be donated to 93 local children’s hospitals nationwide.
The grant helped provide electronic gaming equipment, adaptive equipment, specialized summer camps, and children’s life programs such as art, music, and integrative therapy programs.
Graham touched on the importance of giving back, even for small actions like showing up at someone’s local Dunkin’.
“If only I could take people out of the hell they might be living in, or in their minds, for an hour. How small little gestures can affect people.” It’s something I think about all the time, and I always think of the people who encouraged and sometimes motivated me when I was younger,” he said.
Graham, who re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal in March, isn’t the first to raise money for the cause.
In January of this year, the former University of Michigan player partnered with Montgomery County’s Collegeville Italian Bakery to raise money for charity.
He launched the Detroit 55 Pizza at Collegeville Italian Bakery before a 38-7 playoff victory over rival New York Giants in the divisional rounds. Graham’s handpicked toppings include pepperoni, bacon, sauces, mozzarella, and other cheeses.
For every Graham Special purchased, $2 is donated to the Eagles Autism Foundation, which supports autism research and care. Graham has previously worked with the foundation, including wearing spikes with the charity’s logo during a game against the Tennessee Titans last November.
The former Super Bowl champion, who came off a Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes last February, also spoke about his preparations for next season.
“It’s going great. I’m in the facility. We’re building that friendship right now,” he said. “We were just in Arizona talking about next season, so I’m just trying to make sure I’m enjoying every step of it.”
“I feel like I’ve had an opportunity this year, so I have to make the most of it.”
