Philadelphia’s Super Bowl heroes returned to the city to celebrate the Eagles’ Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. After climbing the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, players, coaches, and front-office staff addressed their adoring fans.
Among them, superstar wide receiver A.J. Brown took to the microphone and made the most of the opportunity to hit back at those who have doubted him along the way.
A.J. Brown Hits Back at Critics
In an impassioned speech in front of thousands of Philadelphia natives, Brown said:
“They said I was a diva; they said all I cared about was stats. You can get all of those things wrong about me, but there’s one thing you can get right. I’m a f***ing champion!”
AJ Brown in his Super Bowl parade speech:
“They said I was a diva, they said all I cared about was stats… you can get all of those things wrong about me, but there’s one thing you can get right.. I’m a f**king champion!” pic.twitter.com/zWI0B30IQs
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) February 14, 2025
Brown’s exclamation was met with a roar from the crowd as the receiver raised both arms in true Rocky Balboa fashion.
A lot of things changed for the Eagles’ star receiver in 2024. The offseason acquisition of Saquon Barkley meant that Brown was no longer the No. 1 skill player on the team. Barkley’s dominance on the ground led to a far more run-heavy approach from the Eagles in the 2024 season.
“They said I was a diva, they said all I cared about was stats… you can get all of those things wrong about me, but there’s one thing you can get right.. I’m a f**king champion!” pic.twitter.com/MmYZxzd8nF
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 14, 2025
Just 43.71% of Philadelphia’s plays in the 2024 season were pass plays. That was the lowest percentage in the league in 2024 and marked a significant drop from the team’s 54.94% rate in 2023. With the team having so much success on the ground, it was a frustrating season at times for Brown, who had far fewer opportunities to make an impact.
Is Brown a Diva?
While the star receiver may have issues with his “diva” label, it hasn’t come out of nowhere.
In December 2024, a riff between Brown and his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, became apparent after the team’s narrow victory over the Carolina Panthers. When asked what was holding the Eagles back, Brown bluntly replied, “Passing.”
AJ Brown on what the offense needs to improve on:
“Passing”
Says everything is fixable
Says he slammed his helmet out of frustration after a 3-and-out pic.twitter.com/iSG4MvOpt2
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) December 8, 2024
And while the team most likely wanted to keep the falling-out in-house, team captain Brandon Graham addressed the issue publicly. Speaking on “Sports Radio 94WIP,” Graham suggested that his wide receiver needed to take accountability.
“I know [Hurts] one is trying, and [Brown] 11 could be better with how he responds to things.”
“I know 1 is trying and 11 could be better with how he responds to things. They were friends, but things have changed.”
Brandon Graham gives insight to the AJ Brown/Jalen Hurts drama: pic.twitter.com/RcouHPGK43
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) December 9, 2024
And 2024 wasn’t the first time that the pair have fallen out over Brown’s involvement. Early in the 2023 season, the pair had to be separated by their head coach after getting into a heated exchange on the sidelines against Minnesota.
A touchdown in a Super Bowl victory, though, seems to have put a smile on Brown’s face for the time being. While a dysfunctional relationship at times, results are what matters in football. Brown and Hurts’ relationship may not be fully clear, but they’re Super Bowl champions now.