PHILADELPHIA — During the Philadelphia Eagles’ wild-card playoff matchup, A.J. Brown found an unexpected way to occupy himself while seated on the bench.
Instead of focusing on the game strategy, the Eagles wide receiver turned his attention to a motivational book titled “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy.
As the game played out, Brown seemed unfazed, spending his time flipping through the pages of the book, which promotes training one’s mind for optimal performance and personal success.
This unconventional choice was fitting given that he recorded only one catch for 10 yards in the Eagles’ 22-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Brown shared that he frequently reads while on the sidelines but acknowledged, “Y’all caught me that time.”
With an impressive season that included 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns, Brown highlighted how the book’s insights are beneficial, stating that football is primarily a mental game for him.
“If I score a touchdown or drop a pass, it’s all about how I refocus,” he explained.
He referred back to one of the book’s key messages, which emphasizes maintaining a clear mindset and disregarding distractions, whether positive or negative.
“If you’re humble, you can’t be embarrassed,” he added, underlining the book’s profound impact on his approach to the sport.
Jim Murphy, the author, is known for being a former minor league baseball player and a mental skills coach who has worked with professional athletes.
He mentioned that a fellow Eagles player had recommended his book to Brown, leading to its unexpected appearance during an NFL playoff game.
Murphy shared his surprise when he began getting messages about his book being featured on television while he was watching the Orange Bowl.
“It’s quite unique to see an athlete reading it during a game,” Murphy remarked from Dallas.
“Inner Excellence” appears to be a source of inspiration not only for Brown but possibly for the entire Eagles team.
Putting their playoffs in a positive light, stars like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, along with one of the league’s top defenses, are gearing up for another home playoff game in a season filled with aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl.
“I’m just going to stay free and play free,” Brown said, embodying a mindset of confidence and relaxation.
After the game, he took to social media to post a photograph of the book, highlighting several passages in yellow.
Jalen Hurts also commented, noting, “I’ve never seen him read. I’ve seen the book in his hands. Everyone finds their flow in different ways. That’s how we choose to do it.”
Looking ahead, the NFC East champion Eagles are set to host a divisional round game next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field against the winner of the upcoming matchup between Minnesota and Los Angeles.
