Why Eagles kelly green uniform means most to this player. Can Julio Jones 'dominate'?

PHILADELPHIA − Brandon Graham remembers everything from his first NFL game, right down to the kelly green uniform.

Graham didn't understand the importance and the symbolism of those old green uniforms at the time. It was a primary color that the Eagles had worn from their inception in 1933 until Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie changed the color scheme to the current midnight green in 1996.

After all, Graham was a rookie defensive end from Michigan playing in his first NFL game. And the Eagles were granted permission to wear the uniforms that day to commemorate the 50th anniversary of what was then their last NFL championship, in 1960 over the Green Bay Packers.

But Graham understands it now that he's 35 years old, in his 14th season, as the Eagles are wearing their throwback uniform − kelly green top and helmet and silver pants − this Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins.

They'll also wear them in a Nov. 26 home game against the Buffalo Bills.

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Graham has played 184 games since then, second in Eagles history to kicker David Akers, a milestone Graham should surpass next month.

"I just remember being hyped for the Packers that week," Graham said about his first NFL game. "I didn’t really understand it yet. But then when we had it on, it was like, ‘Dang, these jerseys are sweet.'"

The kelly green jerseys the Eagles will wear against the Dolphins are a slight variation to the 2010 version.

"Now, when I look at that jersey now because I still got that jersey hung up on my wall, shoot, these new ones are even better. Man, I just love that we got back to the old way in some way. It’s cool to have different jerseys to switch up on."

But Graham is not alone in feeling nostalgic for the new, old jerseys.

That's because in 2013, the NFL would only allow teams to wear one helmet each year, citing a safety issue. That meant if the Eagles wanted to wear the alternate kelly green uniforms, they would have to use the mismatched midnight green helmet.

That was something Lurie was not willing to do.

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So Lurie lobbied the NFL to change the rule. Finally, in 2021, the NFL announced that it would allow alternate helmets beginning in the 2022 season.

Lurie, however, wanted a specific color scheme designed by Nike. He was told that it wouldn't be ready until this season.

So the Eagles waited another year. And to players and coaches, it was worth it.

"Look good, feel good, play good, right?" Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.

But to quarterback Jalen Hurts, the kelly green jerseys mean more. Hurts has developed a friendship with Randall Cunningham, the Eagles quarterback from 1985-95. It was during this era that the Eagles designed the uniforms that they'll wear Sunday.

Hurts recently exchanged jerseys with Cunningham, getting his kelly green No. 12 in exchange for Hurts' midnight green uniform. Hurts said the two text each other on a weekly basis.

"It was a special moment," Hurts said. "He’s always been an icon for the position and the way he played the game, and how I play the game. Just to feel support, to be able to share some conversations with him, share some memories and moments. It’s something that will last a lifetime for me."

That's why Hurts said he can see why Eagles fans are so excited about the kelly green uniforms. He has seen how eagerly fans have purchased the throwbacks as soon as they went on sale in late July, when the color scheme was unveiled.

"It’s kind of the original color, and it brings back a lot of memories for a lot of people," Hurts said. "So it’ll be fun to enjoy that moment, and go out there and play the game, and get a win."

As for Graham, the kelly green uniform could signify his career coming full circle, from a 22-year-old rookie into an Eagles legend. After all, Graham also ranks fourth in team history in sacks, with 70½.

The team's all-time sacks leader, the late Reggie White, is also the personification of the throwback uniforms the Eagles are wearing Sunday.

"(The uniform) just lets you know how you come in is sometimes how you go out," Graham said. "Hopefully, this isn't how I go out. But it has come back around, and it’s cool to still be able to help this team."

New Eagles WR Julio Jones: 'I plan to dominate'

Julio Jones, signed to the practice squad Tuesday, is 34 years old and four seasons removed from his last of seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons. But don't tell Jones that he has to adjust to a secondary role on a receiving tandem that includes A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

"My mindset is definitely to dominate," said Jones, who has 13,629 receiving yards, which ranks 16th all-time. "Don’t get it twisted. I’m here to dominate. But I’m saying … wherever they need me to go and be, I’m going to do that to the best of my ability.

"The biggest thing for me is go out there and learn as much as I can right now. The team needs me to fit in, and I’m willing to do it. I’m a veteran. I can move around, whatever the case may be."

The Eagles might need Jones right away as Smith did not practice Wednesday (an estimation because the Eagles held a walkthrough) because of a hamstring injury.

Other Eagles injuries

In addition to Smith, RT Lane Johnson (ankle), S Reed Blankenship (ribs) and CB Bradley Roby (shoulder) did not practice. The following players were limited: DT Jalen Carter (ankle), TE Dallas Goedert (groin), CB Darius Slay (knee) and DT Milton Williams (ankle).

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why Eagles kelly green uniform means most to Brandon Graham, Jalen Hurts