What book was A.J. Brown reading? Eagles WR searches for 'Inner Excellence" during ugly playoff performance vs. Packers

The postseason can be a stressful time for NFL players, who are tasked with taking on their sport's finest in the hopes of capturing the most decadent of prizes, the Lombardi Trophy.

There are myriad ways to handle that pressure. Some dance and shake their bodies to let loose; others meditate, hoping to find their purpose in a chamber of self-reflection.

During the Eagles' wild-card matchup with the Packers on Sunday, star wideout A.J. Brown took on a different approach. While sitting on the sidelines in the fourth quarter, Brown took out his proverbial reading glasses, pulled out a leafy tablet, and got to reading.

Cameras caught the former All-Pro wideout embracing the power of a good book in the midst of battle. Social media was unsurprisingly captivated by Brown's exploits, as some praised the Mississippi State alum for his ingenuity and appreciation of American literature, and others expressed frustration over such a gesture, particularly after Brown posted his worst stat line of the year.

AJ Brown started reading a book on the sideline in the middle of a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/jz6YuLBYZ1

But just what novel caught Brown's interest? Here's what you need to know.

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What book was A.J. Brown reading?

Brown was reading "Inner Excellence," a self-help book written by Jim Murphy released in 2020. The book claims to be a blueprint for "athletes, entrepreneurs, single mothers of five" and everything in between, with Murphy — a former minor league baseball player in the Cubs farm system — offering "mental techniques based on the powerful principles of love, wisdom, and courage," according to its Amazon listing.

Murphy's book appears to be a hit among athletes, particularly those involved in the world of golf; both PGA Tour standout Stewart Cink and PGA Tour coach Matt Killen offered an endorsement for Murphy's work.

Contained within the book's margins are tips to help readers:

• Develop self-mastery — and let go of what you can’t control
• Overcome anxiety — and build powerful mental habits
• Remove mental blocks — and get out of your own way
• Train your subconscious mind — and release limiting beliefs

It's available to purchase for $10-$20 on Amazon.

A.J. Brown stats vs. Packers

Final score: Eagles 22, Packers 10

In Philadelphia's biggest game of the season (to date), Brown put forth his worst performance. He caught one pass from three targets, tallying 10 yards on Sunday night. By comparison, Jahan Dotson — who finished the regular season with 48 fewer catches, 860 fewer yards, and seven fewer touchdowns than Brown — recorded a catch and touchdown on two targets.

Now, there are plenty of reasons why Brown was held quiet. Jalen Hurts looked a bit rusty in his first game back from the concussion he suffered in Week 16 against the Commanders, particularly in the game's early moments. Also, Brown was matched up with a secondary spearheaded by first-team All-Pro selectee Xavier McKinney.

There's plenty of goodwill in the tank for Brown, one of the league's most-gifted pass catchers. Despite dealing with injury and inconsistency at the QB position, Brown still averaged 83 yards per game, the fifth-best mark in the NFL.

Still, Sunday's showing was certainly underwhelming. Brown will hope he can use Murphy's tips to author up a better showing in Philadelphia's divisional-round matchup.