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Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown has sparked a surprising literary trend, sending Jim Murphy’s self-help book Inner Excellence soaring to No. 1 on Amazon’s hottest sellers list overnight.
During a crucial playoff game, Brown caught attention for setting aside the playbook and diving into Murphy’s motivational work on the sideline. The book, authored by the former Chicago Cubs minor league player turned mental skills coach, surged from its previous rank of 523,497 to claim the top spot on Amazon’s trending list by Monday morning. It also landed at No. 1 on the platform’s “movers & shakers” list, though it has yet to break into the top 100 sales for 2025.
Fueled largely by the enthusiasm of Eagles fans, Inner Excellence currently boasts 375 reviews and a 4.7-star rating. One Amazon reviewer noted, “AJ Brown recommended this book, so I’m looking forward to reading this. Fly Eagles Fly!”
Murphy, who transitioned from professional sports to teaching confidence under pressure, was inundated with messages when his book gained sudden attention during the NFL game. “I spent five years full-time writing and researching the question of how athletes can perform with confidence under pressure,” Murphy shared in an interview. “That became Inner Excellence.”
Brown, who recorded 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns this season, praised the book’s impact on his mental game. “Football is 90% mental and 10% physical for me,” he said. Brown even shared a photo of the book with highlighted passages on social media, noting its advice on maintaining focus and humility.
“If I score a touchdown or drop a pass, it’s how I refocus,” Brown explained. “The book teaches you to have a clear mind and a clear conscience, to embrace risks without fear of embarrassment.”
Brown’s approach clearly paid off, as the Eagles triumphed over the Green Bay Packers to advance in the NFL playoffs.
While Inner Excellence now enjoys its moment in the spotlight, its unexpected rise proves the power of a well-timed sideline read—and A.J. Brown’s knack for turning heads both on and off the field.
