Eagles defensive end and Super Bowl Champion Brandon Graham was in South Philadelphia early Tuesday morning, where he swapped the shoulder pads for the barista’s apron to help some of the city’s working folks get their day started on Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day, May 23. 

The lifetime Eagle and fan favorite helped deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl victory in 2018 and was responsible for one of the biggest plays in Philly sports history when he posted a crucial strip sack on Tom Brady in the closing minutes of Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. 

The former 2010 first-round pick helped kickstart the mornings of many working Philadelphians on Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day for a good cause, as one dollar from every iced coffee sold will be donated to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.

Throughout the event, the 13-year NFL veteran helped serve guests and distribute Dunkin’-branded merch. Alongside the star defensive-end was four-year-old Freddy Burns, a cancer patient at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Delaware, and a Philly sports fanatic. 

Local proceeds will support various children’s hospitals in the greater Philly area, including Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. 

Graham spoke to the media during his shift at Dunkin’ to talk more about the foundation and people’s reactions to seeing him that morning. 

“They are excited for the season. Excited to see me because I'm here. It's always good during the offseason when you get to see fans and talk about the season,” he said. “Most of the time we're talking about football, but sometimes you get to know people depending on how long you get to spend with them.” 

Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day raised $1.8 million for the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation in 2022 that was distributed to 93 local children’s hospitals nationwide. 

The grants helped supply child life programming such as art, music and integrated therapy programs to electronic gaming equipment, adaptive equipment, and specialized summer camps. 

Graham touched on the importance of giving back, even in small gestures such as showing up to someone's local Dunkin’. 

“It’s good if you can take people an hour away from the hell that they might be living in, or in their mind. You never know how small little gestures can go with people. It's something that I always think about, always remember stuff from when I was little on some people that encouraged me and motivated me at times,” he said. 

Graham — who re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract this past March — is not new to raising money for great causes. 

This past January, the former University of Michigan player partnered with the Collegeville Italian Bakery in Montgomery County to raise money for charity. 

He launched the Detroit 55 Pizza at Collegeville Italian Bakery ahead of their 38-7 playoff victory against rival New York Giants in the divisional round. The toppings — handpicked by Graham — include pepperoni, bacon, sauce, mozzarella and other cheeses. 

For every Graham special that was purchased, $2 was donated to the Eagles Autism Foundation that supports autism research and care. Graham has previously worked with the foundation, including wearing cleats with the charity's logo during a game against the Tennessee Titans last November. 

The former Super Bowl champion also talked preparation for the upcoming season, with the team coming off of a Super Bowl loss against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs last February 

“It's going good. I'm there at the facility. We're building that camaraderie right now,” he said. “We were just in Arizona and we were talking about next season so I'm just trying to make sure I'm enjoying every step.”

“I feel like we got a shot this year and we've got to take full advantage of it.”