Football

WR A.J. Brown after his 175-yard, 2-TD day keeps Eagles perfect: 'Thank you God'

By Kevin Mercer Oct 2, 2023
A.J. Brown hauls in his second touchdown catch of the day, Oct. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

On Sunday in Philadelphia, the Eagles overcame a 10-point second-quarter deficit to defeat the Washington Commanders, 34-31, in overtime. The win kept Philly undefeated at 4-0 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

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Many Eagles, like quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back D’Andre Swift, recorded impressive performances, but the star which perhaps shone the brightest was wide receiver A.J. Brown. He caught nine passes for 175 yards, which was more than any other player in Week 4. Two of his receptions were crucial second-half touchdowns that gave Philadelphia the lead.

Brown’s 175 receiving yards were the second-most he’s ever had in a single NFL game, trailing only the 181 he had last December at Chicago. He’s led the league with 306 receiving yards in his last two games.

Sporting a cross necklace and eye black in the shape of a cross under his right eye, the two-time Pro Bowler had this to say about being 4-0 in his postgame press conference:

“The record says nothing. These experiences say everything, because we’re learning from them.”

He’ll also try to learn from the taunting penalty he received after his second touchdown, when he placed the ball on the ground in front of his defender. Brown said Hurts held him accountable after the penalty, and Brown regretted the move.

“I got to be better. I’m a vet. I can’t do stuff like that,” he said.

In the hours after the game, Brown created a post on Instagram that included a photo of him wearing a Christian-based sweatshirt and a caption that read, “Thank you God.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arthur Brown (@1k_alwaysopen)


Brown, who has been known to pray on the field and describes himself as a “MAN OF GOD!” on his Instagram account, frequently shares about his faith on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arthur Brown (@1k_alwaysopen)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arthur Brown (@1k_alwaysopen)


Before February’s Super Bowl, which the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35, Sports Spectrum asked Brown about his first season in Philadelphia. The now-26-year-old had been traded to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

“I had plans and God had other plans,” Brown responded. “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.”

Sports Spectrum then asked him if there was a particular Bible verse he’s held dear. “Romans 8:18,” he said. “‘The pain you have been feeling cannot compare to the joy that is coming.’”

Before the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Brown shared during a press conference that it is God who keeps him grounded.

“I play for God,” he said. “I don’t play for expectations of man. I play this game because God has given me the ability to play this game, and doing my best is giving my due diligence back to Him.”

Brown will seek to continue to honor his Father in Heaven with his play on the field as he and his Philly teammates seek a return to the Super Bowl. Next, the undefeated Eagles travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams (2-2) on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.

RELATED STORIES:
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