AJ Brown explained he likes to read to “refocus and lock in” after being spotted with a book on the sidelines during the Philadelphia Eagles’ wild-card-round win over the Green Bay Packers.
Wide receiver Brown stole the headlines after images of him with his head in “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy went viral.
AJ Brown is reading a book on the sideline? 📚😂
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/jQGv8smD9N
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 13, 2025
And while many speculated it was a show of frustration after being limited to three targets, resulting in one catch for 10 yards in the Eagles’ 22-10 triumph, Brown explained he simply uses the book to gain clarity of thought.
“I wasn’t frustrated at all. I figured that’s what y’all probably thought,” Brown said. “Why do you always think I be frustrated? Dang. I like to read.”
People don’t know the truth – Brown
Brown added later on X: “This game is 90% mental and 10% physical for me. I bring it to every game and I read it between each drive.
“I use it to refocus and lock in despite what may transpire in the game good or bad. People tend to create controversy when they don’t know the truth.”
Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who produced a mixed display on his return from a concussion, admitted he was surprised to see Brown reading the book in game.
“I’ve never seen him read [on the sideline]; I’ve seen the book in his hands,” Hurts said. “Everybody has a different thing and finds their flow in different ways. That’s how he chooses to do it.”
The win sees the Eagles move on to next weekend’s Divisional Round in which they will face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Minnesota Vikings.
