PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was spotted reading a book on the sideline during the second half of Philadelphia's 22-10 wild card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, which generated some questions.
What was the book? Why was he reading it in-game? Was it a sign of frustration because he had just one catch for 10 yards on three targets?
Brown answered them one by one afterwards.
The book is "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy, written to "train your mind for extraordinary performance and the best possible life." Brown said he brings the book to every single game; this is just the first time cameras caught him reading it, he said. There are passages that he has highlighted that help bring him a sense of peace. And no, he wasn't reading it because he was discontented.
"I wasn't frustrated at all. I figured that's what y'all probably thought," Brown said. "Why do you always think I be frustrated? Dang. I like to read."
Brown took to social media to further explain why reading during games works for him.
"I use it to refocus and lock in despite what may transpire in the game good or bad," he wrote. "People tend to create controversy when they don't know the truth."
The work week was not without its challenges. Brown missed the better part of two practices as he managed a knee issue. He acknowledged he entered the Packers game "banged up" but spoke optimistically about the injury afterwards, saying "I definitely feel like I'm turning the corner. I came out of the game healthy."
With quarterback Jalen Hurts missing the last two games because of a concussion and both Brown and DeVonta Smith (back tightness) sidelined for parts of the work week, the passing game struggled to get into rhythm against the Packers. At one point, Hurts went 90 minutes in between completed passes. He managed just 39 yards on just 6-of-13 passing heading into the latter stages of the third quarter before going 3-of-3 for 61 yards on a scoring drive, which was capped by a stiff-arm fueled 24-yard touchdown catch and run by tight end Dallas Goedert.
"I'm pretty sure he wishes he could get some plays back. I'm sure we all can say that," said Brown of Hurts. "But for the most part, he handled the game, he didn't have any turnovers. We got the win, most importantly."
The Eagles will host the divisional round of the playoffs next weekend. Safe to say, Brown will have a copy of the book at the ready.
"I've never seen him read [on the sideline], I've seen the book in his hands," Hurts said. "Everybody has a different thing and finds their flow in different ways. That's how he chooses to do it."
