A.J. Brown explains reading book on sidelines: ‘Y’all just caught me at the right time’

The Philadelphia Eagles earned a 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the Wild Card Round. But after the game, much of the discussion revolved around an incredibly peculiar moment on the sidelines involving Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

In the latter portion of the Eagles victory, Brown was captured on the Fox broadcast reading a book called Inner Excellence, which Tom Brady got quite a kick out of on the broadcast.

“I haven’t seen too many people read books. But I’ve seen a quarterback eat a hot dog,” said Brady referring to fellow NFL quarterback turned Fox broadcaster Mark Sanchez.

“I haven’t seen too many people read books. But I’ve seen a quarterback eat a hot dog.” – Tom Brady 🏈🎙️📚🌭 #NFL pic.twitter.com/t3KxDqCUXS

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 13, 2025

Given just how bizarre the sight of Brown reading a book during the middle of a game that wasn’t even entirely out of reach is, he was naturally asked about it after the game. Brown responded by detailing how the book helps him stay humble and have a clear mind on the field.

“Y’all just caught me at that right time,” said Brown about being shown reading his book on the bench in a video shared by Zach Gelb of Infinity Sports Network. “I’m doing that every drive regardless of whether I score a touchdown or drop a pass. That’s how I refocus. I always revert back to the beginning of the book. It states that if you can have a clear mind and remember that nothing else matters positive or negative. You are willing to take risks. It also says if you are humble you can’t be embarrassed.  So no matter what happens in the game, I’m just gonna play free. Keep going and take risks.”

Brown was then asked whether he read the book because he may have been frustrated with his lack of usage in the Eagles offense, a narrative that he immediately pushed back against.

“No, I was not frustrated at all. I figured that’s what y’all probably thought. I wasn’t frustrated. Why do y’all think I’m frustrated? I read the book, I like to read.”

I asked AJ Brown if he was frustrated on the sideline while reading a book during a playoff game.

He laughed and said he just likes to read. pic.twitter.com/F2hbB9uZOl

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 13, 2025

Brown later took to social media to further dispel the narrative of any frustrations being the reason that he was seen reading the book.

“This game is 90% mental and 10% physical for me,” wrote Brown. “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.”

The truth that Brown seems to be referring to is that he is always reading the book between offensive drives. It just so happens that this marks the first time that many have seen him do so.

Whatever motives are behind Brown’s book-reading, it seems to be working for the Eagles, who will go into their Divisional Round matchup with wins in 13 of their last 14 games.