Another holiday season has almost flown by as I am writing this on Christmas morning, while the family still sleeps.
My kids are older now, so they no longer wake up at the crack of dawn to tear through their gifts like little tornadoes, leaving a trail of wrapping paper in their wake.
Even with Turkey Day in the rear view, this is still the time of year to reflect on another year passing us by, the things we are most grateful for, like our family and friends, our collective health, both physically and mentally, the food we eat, a warm bed, and the roof over our heads.
2025 marks my 30th year as a Philadelphia Eagles fan, a team I am proudest and most thankful to represent. So much so, being from California, I often tell people I bleed green into the Pacific.
As Eagles fans, we have a lot to look back on and be thankful for, especially within the last decade.
I am thankful for the amazing football QB Carson Wentz played in 2017. That year, Wentz was having an MVP-caliber season, throwing for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, with a passer rating of 101.9, and a 60.2% completion percentage through 13 games before tearing his ACL at the Coliseum in LA vs the Rams.
I’m thankful that GM Howie Roseman was wise enough to bring back QB Nick Foles, who stepped in after Wentz went down and surpassed our wildest expectations, playing a huge role in defeating QB Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, 41-33. I am thankful for God whispering “Philly Special” into Nick’s ear, and for Doug Pederson having the guts to trust his QB in that crucial spot. The Eagles still currently have 3 players left from that first Championship team in 17.
Interestingly enough, those 3 players are from each phase of the game of football: offense (OT Lane Johnson), defense (DE Brandon Graham), and special teams (K Jake Elliott). Each of these 3 players has spent their entire careers with the Eagles in Philly.
Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson has been with the Eagles since 2013 and has played at a high level throughout his tenure in Philly. Johnson has had the pleasure of blocking for some good QBs in his Hall of Fame career. He blocked for Michael Vick’s blind side, Sam Bradford, Carson Wentz, plus Super Bowl MVPs Foles and Hurts. Lane is widely considered to be one of, if not the best, right tackles in the NFL.
So, it goes without saying I’m thankful for all the legendary years of amazing service that L.J. has provided to the Philadelphia Eagles, playing in 3 Super Bowls and winning 2.
Brandon Graham
Defensive End Brandon Graham is another player who will one day be in the Hall of Fame. Graham (aka BG/#55) would also be in the Smack Talk Hall of Fame (if that actually existed) because he talks that talk and walks that walk, and his intimidating words over the years have matched his play on the field. BG made the biggest play on defense in the Eagles’ first-ever Super Bowl win when he made an amazing 4th quarter strip sack on Tom Brady to force the only turnover in that game. A play with just over 2 minutes left in regulation left Brady himself sitting on the field moments after in absolute disbelief. Before, during, and after last season, Graham contemplated retiring.
Once the Eagles not only beat but utterly dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX #55, they decided to retire a 2-time NFL Champion. However, the Eagles had some injuries earlier this year, and with the itch to play still, the 37-year-old (OG BG) came out of retirement this past October.
He was slow to make an impact, but with DT Jalen Carter out for the last few games, #55 has been getting snaps on the inside and has 3 sacks in the last two games. Brandon has an infectious smile, a voice that carries into the opposition’s psyche, he’s a true leader on and off the gridiron, and is just an amazing person. He is one of those generational players who has the characteristics I am extremely thankful to have witnessed.
Jake Elliott
Jake Elliott is one of the greatest kickers in Eagles history. Former Eagles kicker David Akers is probably the best in most people’s opinions, but Elliott has more playoff success than Akers. I know Jake has gone through some rough patches these last couple of years, but he is a 2-time Champ who has made some big-time kicks for the Eagles, going back to his rookie year in 2017, when he helped Philly secure its first-ever Super Bowl victory. A season in which Jake nailed a 61-yard field goal(FG) as time expired to beat the hated NY Giants.
In 17′ Elliott went on to make FG’s in the playoffs of 21, 37 & 53 yards vs Atlanta, a 38-yarder vs Min, and most importantly, FGs of 25, 42, and 48 yards to help hold off the Patriots in SB LII. “No Shake” Jake also made some monstrous kicks last year in the Championship run vs the Packers, Rams(in the snow), Commanders, and Chiefs, helping his teammates win another Super Bowl and denying KC their 3-peat.
When it comes down to sports, nothing matters more to me than the Philadelphia Eagles.
So, all these things I’ve mentioned are among the things I am, and always will be, eternally thankful for.
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