PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Philadelphia Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown has made headlines recently for his unexpected sideline activity during an NFL playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Instead of focusing solely on the game, Brown decided to immerse himself in a self-help book titled "Inner Excellence" by author Jim Murphy. This decision proved to be momentous, as it led to a significant surge in the book's popularity, propelling it to the number one spot on Amazon's best-sellers list.
During the playoff match on January 12, 2025, Brown was spotted flipping through the pages of Murphy's book, diverting his attention from the field. This seemingly casual act resulted in the book making an extraordinary leap from being ranked 523,497th to achieving the top position in a matter of hours. In addition to its best-seller status, "Inner Excellence" also topped Amazon's movers and shakers list, indicating a remarkable spike in interest and sales.
Despite its newfound popularity, "Inner Excellence" had not yet reached the top 100 sales rankings on Amazon for 2025, with other authors such as Mel Robbins, Rebecca Yarros, and Kristin Hannah leading the charts. The book earned impressive reviews, accumulating 375 ratings with an average score of 4.7 out of 5. For contrast, Freida McFadden's acclaimed novel "The Housemaid" had a higher number of reviews at 431,491 but was ranked lower on the best-sellers list.
Many fans and readers took to Amazon to express their excitement about A.J. Brown's endorsement of the book. One reviewer shared enthusiasm, stating, "AJ Brown recommended this book, so I’m looking forward to reading this. Fly Eagles Fly." This fanfare around Brown's reading habits drew attention not only to the book but also to his performance on the field. He had an impressive season with 67 catches for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jim Murphy, who previously played minor league baseball with the Chicago Cubs, reacted to the unexpected surge in interest for his book, stating that his phone was inundated with messages when he learned about Brown's sideline reading. Murphy dedicated five years of his life researching and writing "Inner Excellence," aiming to teach individuals, especially athletes, how to maintain confidence under pressure.
A.J. Brown elaborated on the book's significance in his game strategy, explaining that football is “90% mental and 10% physical” for him. He emphasized the importance of mental clarity, referencing passages from the book that encourage readers to focus on having a clear mind and a humble attitude, which can mitigate embarrassment and promote willingness to take risks. His approach has clearly been effective, as the Eagles won their playoff game against the Packers and continued their journey in the NFL playoffs.
In conclusion, A.J. Brown's sideline reading has not only garnered overwhelming interest in Jim Murphy's "Inner Excellence," making it a bestseller, but it also showcases the intersection of sports and self-improvement literature. The Eagles star proves that even in high-pressure environments like the NFL playoffs, taking a moment for personal growth can yield significant results both on and off the field.
