A.J. Brown's sideline book hits No. 1 and gets some funny reviews from Eagles fans

Ariel Simpson, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Jan 13, 2025

Published in Football

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PHILADELPHIA — Eagles fans received two gifts on Sunday during the team’s wild-card matchup at Lincoln Financial Field: a win over the Green Bay Packers to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive and a new self-help book recommendation from wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Brown went viral on social media during the Eagles game against the Packers — but not for some spectacular play. In fact, the receiver only had one reception for 10 yards. Instead, the three-time Pro Bowler went viral after he was seen reading the self-help book "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy during the fourth quarter.

“For me, this game is mental,” Brown told reporters after the game. “I physically believe I can do anything and everything, but I got to make sure my mental is good. It’s how I refresh every drive, regardless of if I score a touchdown or if I drop a pass. I always go back to that book every drive and refocus.”

Later, Brown shared a photo of the book on social media saying he brings it to every game and reads it in between drives to help him refocus and lock in. The purpose of the book is to “train your mind for extraordinary performance and the best possible life.” Now, it seems like Eagles fans are following Brown’s footsteps and buying their own copies.

Less than 24 hours after the game, "Inner Excellence" had reached No. 1 on Amazon’s best sellers in books (as of Monday afternoon). Jim Murphy’s book was previously ranked in the 532,733 spot — a big jump to happen overnight.

But Eagles fans aren’t just buying their own copies of the book, they’re also taking over the review section on Amazon.

Some fans expressed their love and gratitude to the receiver through the comments — and some football puns:

— “I did not read this but A.J. Brown did who changed my life,” a user named J wrote.

— “I love this book almost as much as I love A.J. Brown. Go Birds,” a user named Connor Lewis wrote.

— “I’m here because A.J. Brown was reading this book during the playoff game against the Packers. He told me it was worth reading when you are at peace with the scoreboard. GO BIRDS!,” a user named JJ wrote.

— “I came for the game and stayed for the book circle. This book isn’t just a snap read, but also doesn’t need a tush push to get through. It’s a great call for everyone,” a user named DW wrote.

Others took the time to poke fun at Brown for his choice to read on the sideline during a game in which he wasn’t seeing much action on the field:

— “I was really struggling mentally after not getting much action during my playoff game. I had one catch for 10 yards but this book helped me keep my head on straight and realize the excellence was inside me all along. Sometimes it Hurts to not get more targets but I’m excellent anyway,” a user named Tucker Merchant wrote.

— “I was having an off time at work until my team member went out sick with a concussion for a few weeks. During his absence I achieved heights thought unimaginable. Well that sick employee recently returned and reading this book during my down time in the office has calmed my mind,” a user named Carl Gordon wrote.

Either way, it seems like Philly fans will have a new book just in time for the Eagles next matchup. The Birds are set to turn the page on their matchup with Green Bay and prepare for their divisional round matchup next Sunday against either the Minnesota Vikings or the Los Angeles Rams.