AJ Brown addresses viral moment reading book on sideline of Eagles win over Packers

AJ Brown explained why he was spotted reading a book on the sidelines during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. While speaking to reporters after the Eagles’ 22-10 victory, Brown said he brings the book Inner Excellence to every game.

“It gives me a sense of peace. That’s a book I bring every single game,” Brown said, per Stacey Dales of the NFL Network. “My teammates call it The Recipe. That’s the first time I heard that y’all got me on camera. It got a lot of points in there, a lot of mental parts about it.

“For me, this game is mental. I can do anything and everything, now I got to make sure I’m mentally good. It’s something how I refresh every drive, regardless if I score a touchdown or drop a pass. I always go back to that book every drive and just refocus.”

Inner Excellence is written by Jim Murphy who was an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs organization. On Murphy’s website, he says Inner Excellence “is an entire lifestyle and training system based on centuries-old principles of love, wisdom, and courage. These three powerful virtues are designed to help you, whether you’re a professional athlete or everyday citizen, perform extraordinarily and live with absolute fullness of life.”

Is the book the key to AJ Brown’s success?

The book could be the reason Brown has become one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. For the 2024 season, the Ole Miss alum caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown was named to the All-Pro Second Team for the third consecutive year.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Brown talked about being in the best shape of his career. “I think [I am in the best shape of my life],” Brown said during minicamp earlier this month, per ESPN. “I always ask myself at the end of the season: Can I work harder? What else can I do? Those are the questions I ask myself and the answer is always ‘Yes.'”

“A.J. became a captain for us last year because he has a great work ethic, and he knows how to lead,” Eagles head coach Sirianni said at the time. “He just works his butt off, he wants to be great, he has his sights on being great. He’s been great, and he wants to continue to do it year after year and this year.”