AJ Brown fires back at critics of him reading book on sideline vs. Packers

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown clapped back at people who criticized him for reading a book on the sideline during the Wild Card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Brown shared his reaction to the backlash he has received.

“None of that stuff really matters,” Brown said. “I’m going to continue to be myself. I’m not pretending, it’s not a facade or anything. Who cares who don’t like it? I’m a three-time All-Pro. I’m going to pop my s***. …I do that for myself. …I’m not a distraction. Most importantly, I do my job, so all that other s*** don’t matter.”

Late in the game, Brown was spotted reading Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy, and it’s the top-selling book on Amazon. After the game, Brown explained why he was reading the book.

“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.

Nick Sirianni shows support for AJ Brown

“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.”

During an appearance on Sports Radio 94 WIP on Tuesday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni called out people criticizing Brown. “I’m definitely OK with it,” he said, per Fox News. “The crazy thing is, he’s been reading this book on the sideline for a long time. It just so happened a camera saw it this week. Some guys pray in between, some guys mediate in between. A.J. reads in between. 

“Whatever these guys need to do to put their mind in a place where they can play with great detail and great effort, I fully encourage them to do that. I love A.J. He’s such a great teammate. I saw Jahan Dotson said something defending A.J. and I thought that was awesome too.”

AJ Brown and the rest of the Eagles will look to keep their season going as they face the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.