Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown was caught reading a book on the sideline of Sunday’s NFL playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. It is something that he has done for every game this season even though it only went viral over the weekend because Fox showed him on the national broadcast.
The author of Brown’s book should consider cutting him a check because searches for the specific piece of literature skyrocketed as soon as it was shown on camera and Eagles fans flooded Amazon with positive reviews.
AJ Brown moves the needle!
Jim Murphy is the author of ‘INNER EXCELLENCE: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible life.’ It is a “life guide” book that was first published in May of 2020. Many top athletes have subscribed to the author’s thinking over the last four years.
As a professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization, Jim’s sense of worth and identity revolved around his performance. He was obsessed with fame but also afraid of failure, and that fear made him struggle under the pressure to perform.
When he started coaching professional and Olympic athletes, he saw the same pattern over and over again: athletes had lost their joy and passion for life as the fear of failure engulfed their lives. This book will share with you how some of the best athletes in the world transformed their careers through Inner Excellence.
— Barnes & Noble
AJ Brown brings the book with him to every NFL game and often reads a few highlighted passages while on the sideline. It is not a sign of disrespect. The 27-year-old is not out there reading Harry Potter.
AJ Brown is reading a book on the sideline? 📚😂
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 13, 2025
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/jQGv8smD9N
He uses the book to gain a mental advantage and stay sharp.
AJ Brown describing reading on the sideline, a book he brings to every single game… pic.twitter.com/LH2iIcW3L5
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) January 13, 2025
Searches for ‘INNER EXCELLENCE’ saw an instant spike as soon as Fox cut to Brown on the bench. Everybody wanted to know what he was reading in the middle of a playoff game!
In addition to the increase of search activity, Philadelphia Eagles fans took to Amazon with an influx of five-star reviews for Jim Murphy’s writing. Here are some of the best:
“This book has helped orchestrate a historic 14 win season for the Philadelphia Eagles and specifically a post season win over the Green Bay Packers. AJ Brown, a high level professional athlete uses this book DURING the games to remain focused regardless of what is happening on field.” — Craig Scott
“AJ Brown is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Like Goku in the hyperbolic time chamber, my WR1 is slowly reaching limits beyond human comprehension. AJ is locked in on becoming the NFL’s first WR0, with this book combined with the intense training at the Eagle’s training facility, Brown will reach a level in which 50/50 balls become 100/0, his separation will become unmatched, his vertical has more than tripled, he can now see throws happening in the future. With this book he has basically turned into the next Avenger – slowly biding time for the real game.” — Alexis Estrada
“If it’s good enough for AJ Brown, it’s a good read for anyone. Go Birds!” — Clay Fisher
“This book helped me and my team win an important NFL wild card game, 10 stars!” — Kyle Sarvey
“This book taught me… it doesn’t matter if your opponent is a Packer, a Ram, a Viking , a Commander or a Lion… the chant remains the same…GO BIRDS 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅!!!!!!!!!” — Cammren Renwick
“Alright, let me set the scene for you. It’s the Wild Card game, tensions are high, the stakes are massive, and there’s AJ freaking Brown—on the sidelines, casually reading Inner Excellence like he’s chilling on his couch on a Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the man’s out there torching defenders and carrying the offense like it’s just another day at the office. That’s when I knew I had to read this book.
First off, let’s give AJ some credit here. Who does that? Who catches touchdowns, dominates playoff games, and still finds time to read about mastering the mental game? A legend, that’s who. So naturally, I grabbed a copy the second the game ended because if AJ Brown is unlocking his inner excellence mid-playoffs, you better believe I’m doing the same.
This book is no fluff—it’s all about staying cool under pressure, being present in the moment, and dominating whatever challenges come your way. After just a few chapters, I was out here making life moves like I just caught a 70-yard bomb from Jalen Hurts. Suddenly, I’m calm under stress, locked in at work, and even winning arguments with my wife (okay, maybe not that last one).
And let me just say, watching AJ read this on the sideline made me think—this is why he’s HIM. AJ is getting mentally swole. That’s why he’s unstoppable.
So if you’re looking for a book to help you elevate your game, whether it’s on the field, at work, or just in life, Inner Excellence is the move. Bonus points if you’re an Eagles fan, because you’ll feel like you’re taking notes straight from the GOAT.
P.S. Seeing AJ casually reading this during the Wild Card game is just another reason why Philly is built different. Cowboys fans wouldn’t understand.” — Mark Ryan“Inner excellence. Outer excellence. Up, down, AJ Brown.
E – excellent
A – astute
G – great
L – level up
E – exceptional
S – super (bowl)
EAGLES!” — CAF“I read this book from time to time on the sideline when our lights out defense is crushing it. When I feel I need a lil pep in my step this book helps me get there. I feel it’s written for iggles like me and can’t wait to sore to greater heights. Do yourself a solid and grab this jawn. #flyeaglesfly ##1Wideout” — T-bone steak
A large number of folks in Philly also purchased the book because of Brown’s indirect recommendation. He explained the role it plays in his career after he went viral on social media.
This game is 90% mental and 10% physical for me. I bring it to every game and I read it between each drive. I use it to refocus and lock in despite what may transpire in the game good or bad. People tend to create controversy when they don’t know the truth.
— AJ Brown
AJ Brown also shared some of his favorite passages.
#eagles WR A.J. Brown handed me a beaten up paperback copy of Inner Excellence. Full of handwritten notes and highlighted sections. He has it with him every game and you can tell it’s been knocked off benches on sidelines week after week. Brown then showed me the passage he reads… pic.twitter.com/y2p8vODaps
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 13, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs with a dominant win over the Packers. They did so without a huge game from Brown. He kept his composure through the teachings of Murphy.