Camp Confidential: Brandon Graham Inspires With a Smile

Brandon Graham goes hard on the practice field but he often shows a lighter side as he leaves it.

The Eagles No. 1 pick interacts with fans -- signing autographs and slapping high fives with the kids -- all with big smile on his face.

So what inspires his upbeat attitude?

“You never know who you’re going to touch,” the 22-year-old defensive end said. “You never know who might need that smile or that advice during the day.”

And Graham is willing to take advice as well and let others inspire him.

“I know I be needing it coming out here everyday just from some of the veterans saying ‘hey man it’s going to get better -- just keep on working,’” the rookie said. “Some days you don’t want to come out because you’d be tired... you need somebody to bring you up.”

Graham’s philosophy came from the guys he looked up to when he was younger.

“It was just me thinking about how I grew up and what motivated me,” the 6-foot-2, 268-pounder said. “I got to talk to the big time guys and it made me want to be a big time guy. It really stuck with me some of the stuff people say.”

Graham hopes he can inspire others.

“A lot of people look up to me… anything I say might help them,”

So why the smile?

“You never know when your last day is.”

Each day of Eagles training camp NBCPhiladelphia.com will focus on different Bird trying to soar at Lehigh.

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