Football

Eagles WR A.J. Brown knows it's 'a blessing from God' to get back to Super Bowl

By Joshua Doering Jan 28, 2025
A.J. Brown celebrates the Philadelphia Eagles' NFC Championship win, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

It’s been a strange postseason for Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown. The team’s regular-season leader in receiving yards despite missing four games, Brown caught only three passes for 24 yards as Philadelphia beat the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams to reach the NFC Championship Game.

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He garnered national attention when cameras caught him reading a book — “Inner Excellence” by former professional athlete Jim Murphy — on the sidelines during the Packers game. Brown later explained to reporters that he reads the book during every game to help stay mentally locked in. Afterward, “Inner Excellence” quickly became the best-selling book on Amazon.

The criticism Brown received for reading on the sideline didn’t seem to bother him. In his mind, the book is simply a tool to help him perform to the best of his ability.

“As men, we’ve got to be ‘strong,’ ‘tough’ guys,” Brown said while discussing the book in an interview with ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “I don’t believe that. I can lift weights all day, but that doesn’t do nothing for me if my mental is not correct. … I even found peace in the midst of chaos. This game is violent. You need everything. I’m just trying to slow my brain down.”

Philadelphia acquired Brown from the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2022 season, and he has broken the 1,000-yard mark in each of his three years as an Eagle. The three-time Pro Bowler was much more involved in Sunday’s 55-23 dismantling of the Washington Commanders — which sent the Eagles to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years — catching six passes for 96 yards and scoring a touchdown right before halftime.

Speaking to the media after the win, Brown gave thanks to God as he’s often done throughout his six-year career.

“We’re just trying to get it done,” he said. “Two Super Bowl appearances in three years is a blessing from God. We’re grateful, and we’re just trying to finish. You know, it don’t happen [easily]. Guys don’t get to the Super Bowl, and we’re very blessed. We’re just trying to make the most of it.”

Brown and the Eagles are now preparing for a rematch with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. The two teams met in Super Bowl LVII just two years ago with Kansas City winning, 38-35. Coincidentally, Brown had the exact same number of targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in that game as he did Sunday.

Prior to that first Super Bowl appearance, Sports Spectrum asked Brown about his journey to one of the biggest stages in sports and the role faith plays in his life.

“I had plans and God had other plans,” he said. “I try not to lean on my own understanding. I read the Bible a lot because that’s how I fight my problems. I’m not trying to stand up here and be a perfect guy because I’m not; nobody is. But I just lean heavily on my faith and try to let Him direct my paths.”

To further express his faith, Brown wears his eye black in the shape of a cross during games, a practice that dates back to his time in Tennessee. He also wears an “I Am Second” bracelet on the field. He has never been shy about sharing the importance of the Lord in his life and includes “MAN OF GOD!” in his Instagram bio.

“I’m a Christian first, before anything,” he told the Tennessean near the end of his rookie season. “When I step out on the field, I want to say thank you for the blessing, for everything, because I don’t have to do this. I get to do this. So I always wear a cross.”

Now, only the Eagles stand between the Chiefs and a historic three-peat. After defeating Philadelphia two years ago, the Chiefs took down the San Francisco 49ers last season. A win for Philadelphia in Super Bowl LIX would be the franchise’s second title, to go with its victory in the 2017-18 season. This year’s game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 9.

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