Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was not being insubordinate or disrespectful when he was caught by television cameras reading a book during Philadelphia’s Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers.
Brown was reading the book “Inner Excellence” by best-selling self-help author Jim Murphy.
Eagles’ A.J. Brown Looking for His Inner Excellence
Brown, who had a relatively quiet game for a player of his stature (one reception for 10 yards), was reading a book that he says is motivational. He said he always has it on the sidelines and reads between drives.
From @NFLGameDay: Jim Murphy, author of “Inner Excellence,” will be in attendance at the Linc today, one week after cameras spotted #Eagles WR A.J. Brown reading his book. In just a few days, the two have become fast friends. pic.twitter.com/FJCPQYvb64
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 19, 2025
Brown met Murphy this past Friday, and the two have instantly become friends. The author is now expected to be in attendance on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field for the Eagles’ Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The book, according to the publication’s website, says the following about what will happen once the book is read: “Discover the mental training system that has developed world champions, empowered athletes to become world #1, and most importantly, transformed their lives.”
Matt Killen, a PGA Tour coach who lists Tiger Woods among his pupils, recommends the book to all of his clients.
“I read the first version of Inner Excellence six times,” Killen said. “I recommend all my clients read it.”
Kevin Connauton, a current member of the Utah Hockey Club and a former defenseman of the Philadelphia Flyers, also read the book and swears by it.
“Inner Excellence has had a dramatic impact on how I approach my life and how I play hockey,” Connauton said.
AJ Brown is reading a book on the sideline? 📚😂
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/jQGv8smD9N
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 13, 2025
“I read the book, I like to read,” Brown said after the game.
After the public learned about Brown’s fascination with the book, it immediately climbed the best sellers’ charts. The book normally sold a few copies a day, but the day after the game, it sold over 10,000 copies, according to Sportico.
According to multiple sources, the book went from No. 523,497 in sales on Amazon’s best-seller list to No. 1.
When Murphy visited Brown, it was a match made in heaven. This was no ordinary stop for Murphy. He was with the creator of one the best free endorsements in the history of endorsements. His book had a publication campaign he never could have fathomed.
Brown and Murphy are partnering on a mission ran by Brown’s foundation. Coincidentally, earlier this week, the A.J. Brown Foundation announced a new “reading initiative” on Facebook, highlighted by one of Murphy’s quotes:
“The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more you grow.”
