Murphy’s self-help book, Inner Excellence, skyrocketed to the top of Amazon’s best-sellers list on Monday morning. Previously ranked 523,497th, the book’s meteoric rise came just hours after Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown was spotted reading it on the sidelines during the Eagles’ 22-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
“I was not expecting that. A real gift,” Murphy told The Associated Press. “I just looked at Amazon last night, and it got to No. 1, so that was a surprise. It had probably never been higher than 8 or 9,000. In the thousands, somewhere.”
The unusual sight of an NFL player engrossed in a physical book during a game quickly went viral. Cameras caught Brown flipping through the pages of Murphy’s book at Lincoln Financial Field, sparking a wave of interest among Eagles fans and beyond.
“It gives me a sense of peace,” Brown explained, reported by CBS Sports. “To me, this game is mental. I believe I can do anything and everything — but I’ve got to make sure my mental is good. My teammates call it the recipe.”
The moment wasn’t just a social media hit; it also caught the attention of local media. Philadelphia’s Good Day Philadelphia even kicked off their Monday morning show by highlighting Brown’s sideline reading habit.
Brown’s unconventional approach to in-game preparation didn’t affect his standing within the team. Despite recording just one catch for 10 yards against the Packers, his season stats remain impressive, with 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns on 67 catches. As the Eagles advance to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second time in four years, Brown’s teammates and coaches fully support his unique methods.
“That’s A.J. Brown — he can do whatever the hell he wants,” left tackle Jordan Mailata told Yahoo Sports. “None of us see it as a slight to his work ethic or disrespect to the game. That’s just how his mind works getting into the zone [and] he’s so disciplined in his plan. There’s a method to the madness.”
For Murphy, the viral moment brought an unexpected but welcome boost. “Seeing how it paid off for him, I won’t be complaining anytime soon,” he said.
Thanks to Brown’s endorsement, Inner Excellence has captured the attention of fans, demonstrating the power of focus and mental preparation both on and off the field.