‘I’m going to be that person:’ Eagles’ A.J. Brown wants more for himself, and for others

A.J. Brown pulled up to the «most dangerous gym in America» on a Friday in May, alone in his Honda Accord.

It was just weeks removed from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 destruction of the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX when Brown reached out to trainer Haddy Abdel on social media. This wasn’t the first time a well-known figure had been captivated by the chaotic, grueling workouts conducted at Diamond Gym in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Most, though, just talk a good game before cooling on the idea of being thrust into an environment where hulking bodybuilders double as drill sergeants, extracting every ounce of effort and discipline from a client list that, according to Abdel, includes men recently out of jail or battling drug addiction. But Brown was different.

«He pulled up … where we train at, in his car by himself, and showed up and said, ‘I’m ready to work.’ It was one of the craziest experiences I’ve had with anybody that’s ever come to train with us before,» Abdel said.

A reader. A mental health advocate. A philanthropist. A family man.

He’s part introvert, part performer. A team-first player with the highest of personal ambitions. A leader with style that can be confused for selfish interests. Such complexities make him one of the more captivating, and misunderstood, players in the NFL.

This offseason, he has pulled back the curtain further, opening up about the scars that he carries from his childhood. By tapping into his roots, he is at once bridging the divide between himself and those he wishes to mentor and ensuring he stays close to the flame that fueled his launch to stardom.

Entering his seventh season, the 28-year-old from Starkville, Mississippi, is a three-time Pro Bowl honoree and three-time Associated Press All-Pro. He holds the record for most single-season receptions by an Eagles receiver (106) and is the only Eagle to produce multiple seasons of 1,400-plus receiving yards. He added champion to the résumé in February.

The last accomplishment fell short of personal expectation, with the ecstasy of winning a Lombardi Trophy lasting all of two days. «I thought my hard work would be justified by winning it all,» Brown wrote on Feb. 12. «It wasn’t.»

Shortly after that Instagram post, Brown had a conversation with longtime trainer Joey Guarascio that delved deeper into his psyche.

«It almost made him mad because the feeling after the Super Bowl was like, ‘That’s it? Like there needs to be more. We need to make this thing a dynasty. I need to be a Hall of Famer,'» Guarascio said.

«Every time we talk, it’s, ‘I want to leave a legacy that’s memorable. I want people to talk about the Eagles like they do the New England Patriots in the 2000s.’ He always had an idea and a belief that he could do it, and now that he’s starting to get the physical evidence behind it, it’s just, you know, he’s talking it into fruition.»

All indications are that Brown is «hungrier than ever,» as Guarascio put it, as the Eagles begin their title defense against the rival Dallas Cowboys Thursday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). «I truly feel like I’m the best in the league,» Brown said, «and I want to put a stamp on it.» But the mission reaches well beyond football.

Green Bay Packers in January when cameras caught Brown reading on the sideline while dealing with a quiet day at the office, as he finished with one catch for 10 yards.

«That was just hilarious to me,» Milons said. «It was just one of those things, like, Lord, A.J. is just A.J. It doesn’t matter to him what other people say about it. That’s what I love most about him: He just does this thing.»

Milons and Brown talked earlier this summer about that moment, with Brown explaining to her that reading has a calming, connecting effect on him.

The reactions in Starkville were similar to other parts of the country.

«My wife said, ‘What A.J. doing? What are you doing?» said Gillespie. «I don’t know what he’s thinking. I know I ain’t never read a book on no sideline.»

But Gillespie has a unique insight into Brown’s makeup, having known him since he was a child and sharing a sideline with him. He knows when Brown gets animated on the sideline or vents his frustration or, in this case, picks up a book, it’s rooted in being self-critical.

«It’s all about winning. It’s all it’s all about, I could have done more,» he said. «A lot of times he’s upset with himself, not so much with the organization or with the team or teammates. His expectation for himself, sometimes that’s not being met, and that kind of throws him a little bit.»

Plenty of good came from Brown’s sideline reading, including Brown becoming a prominent figure for reading advocacy, complete with his own book list that he circulated online this offseason.

His act encouraged one of the teachers at Starkville High School to put a poster on the wall that still hangs up there today:

«If A.J. BROWN can find time to read,» it says, «YOU CAN TOO.»

«A lot of people here are really proud of what he’s accomplished,» Gillespie said. «I think that the biggest thing he does is he just gives a community hope.»

Darius Cooper, an undrafted rookie out of Tarleton State.

Cooper (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) has a similar build to Brown, who was the rookie’s favorite player growing up. Brown, in turn, has poured his knowledge into Cooper. There were even times when Brown would walk up to the huddle with Cooper before a play, offering last-second instructions.

«Just being in my ear in practices, telling me different techniques and things to do,» said Cooper, who beat the odds by making the 53-man roster. «It’s just a blessing being under his wing and I’m just grateful to be here.»

On a Sunday in mid-August, Brown traded his uniform for a white button down and suit pants for his trip to Boys’ Latin Middle School in Philadelphia. The gym was filled with students awaiting his arrival. But it was more than just an appearance. The «Fresh Cuts For Success & Mission For Heart» event put on by his foundation offered free haircuts for children about to go back to school as well as school supplies for both students and teachers. After being introduced by the DJ and receiving a loud ovation, Brown went around the room shaking hands and taking pictures with Eagles fans who got to see yet another side to the multidimensional talent.

«When I was younger, I wish I had a mentor,» Brown said. «My father did an excellent job but just to see somebody play a professional sport come back in the community, we didn’t really have that growing up. And I said, ‘I’m going to be that person.'»

Brown acknowledges he was more closed off when he first got into the league. He didn’t show his personality, he said, because he didn’t want to be judged.

He has since shed that protection, layer by layer.

«Now I don’t care,» he said. «I’m going to live my life, I’m going to enjoy myself … I just stopped caring about what people say, honestly.»