After the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 22-10 Wild Card victory over the Green BayPackers, AJ Brown became the talk of social media-not for his plays, but for his sideline behavior. Cameras caught the star wide receiver reading a book during the intense fourth quarter, sparking curiosity among fans and media alike.
When asked about the viral moment during the post-game press conference, Brown explained the deeper meaning behind his habit.
A.J. Brown caught reading on the sideline during Wild Card matchup
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“It gives me peace”
Brown revealed that reading Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy has become a personal ritual that helps him stay grounded, regardless of the game’s stakes.
Man, it gives me a sense of peace,” Brown said. “That’s a book I bring to every single game. My teammates call it a recipe. It’s not the first time I’ve done it, but I guess it’s the first time I’ve been caught on camera.
The wide receiver went on to describe how he turns to the book during moments of both success and frustration.
“It’s something I do to refresh every drive,” he continued. “Whether I score a touchdown or drop a pass, I always go back to my book. It helps me refocus-nothing else matters in that moment. It’s like hitting a reset button.”
A unique approach to mental preparation
Brown’s reading habit isn’t just a quirky sideline activity; it’s part of his broader approach to mental preparation. He credits the practice with keeping him level-headed and ready for whatever comes next on the field.
Fans have been divided on social media about the unusual sight, with some praising Brown for his discipline and others joking about the odd timing. Regardless, Brown’s method appears to work-his calm mindset contributed to the Eagles‘ advance to the Divisional Round.
While Brown had a quiet night statistically, finishing with only one catch on three targets, his off-the-field focus has certainly captured attention. The Eagles are set to face their next opponent with Brown’s unique pre-drive ritual firmly in place.
“Everyone has their way of locking in,” Brown said with a smile. “This is mine.”ch for 10 yards.
