A.J. Brown pulled a total Hermione Granger moment on the Philadelphia Eagles’ sideline – choosing a book over the playbook mid-game. The NFL world went wild when the star wideout was spotted casually reading.
Fans loved the bookworm boss energy, but a Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers WR wasn’t as charmed, firing back with, “Be who you are.”
Greg Jennings Calls Out A.J. Brown’s Sideline Book Moment
When Brown went viral for reading a book on the Eagles’ sideline, reactions poured in, including a fiery take from Packers legend Greg Jennings. On FS1’s “Breakfast Ball,” Jennings questioned Brown’s sideline behavior: “If A.J. Brown had 10 catches for a buck 25 and two touchdowns, do you think he’s reading that book? He’s not. That’s my issue. Be who you are.”
Jennings argued that Brown’s sideline reading wasn’t about focus but frustration. He described it as a classic “receiver thing” — being fully engaged when stats are piling up but mentally checking out when they’re not. Jennings reflected on his playing days, admitting he’d be frustrated if teammates like James Jones or Jordy Nelson whipped out a book mid-game (especially in a playoff atmosphere).
.@GregJennings on AJ Brown's viral book moment:
"If James Jones, Randall Cobb, or Jordy Nelson pulled out a book on the sideline and we're playing a playoff game… I got a problem. What are you doing?" pic.twitter.com/JdQOOreLjH
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) January 13, 2025
“When you feel involved, and you score a touchdown, and you get involved early, you’re engaged for the duration,” he said.
“But when you’re not, you start to mentally check out, and I can understand having some mantras that you go to and revisit in your mind, but to come out with a book, if this is one of my teammates — if James Jones or Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson — if one of these guys pull out a book on the sideline and we playing in a playoff game, I got a problem. What are you doing?”
The debate boils down to priorities and optics. For Jennings, it’s about maintaining intensity, no matter your performance. Brown, on the other hand, might view the book as a tool to center himself — a personal mantra that’s just … visible.
Fans, though, loved the bookworm vibes and saw it as a mark of composure.
Fans React to Brown’s Sideline Book Moment
Fans felt Brown’s sideline behavior was justified, especially after a rough game.
“No offense to those guys, but AJ is a top 3 receiver in the league and had one catch for 10 yards. Oh yeah, GBs best CB was out too. The bottom line is that the Eagles will most likely not reach the SB with the current passing game,” one fan wrote.
This frustration highlights the connection between receiver performance and quarterback play — when things aren’t clicking, players can mentally check out.
No offense to those guys, but AJ is a top 3 receiver in the league and had one catch for 10 yards. Oh yeah, GBs best CB was out too. The bottom line is that the Eagles will most likely not reach the SB with the current passing game.
— Jason (@CenTexBirdFan) January 13, 2025
Other fans kept the tone lighthearted, with one joking, “You know there’s still time to delete this,” suggesting that perhaps Brown’s book moment was best forgotten.
You know there’s still time to delete this 😂😂😂😂
— YG (@Gares623) January 13, 2025
A different angle came from those defending the receivers’ emotional investment: “Why do people want receivers to be ok with not getting the ball?” argued one fan, calling out Jalen Hurts’ struggles and the missed opportunity for a top receiver like Brown to shine.
However, not everyone was sympathetic. One fan criticized the show, saying, “This gotta be the dumbest show, take this s** off TV and go work in factory or some.”
Meanwhile, a cheeky remark by another fan quipped, “Hopefully the book is titled ‘How to be a better teammate for Dummies.’”
Regardless of perspective, this debate about focus, frustration, and team dynamics isn’t cooling off anytime soon.