Fresh off a his Super Bowl win, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown returned to his alma mater, Ole Miss, on Saturday to deliver a commencement address to the spring 2025 graduating class.
The three-time Pro Bowl wideout played at Ole Miss from 2016-18. He’s the program’s all-time leading wide receiver, ending his three-year career with 2,984 receiving yards. He led the SEC in receiving during his sophomore and junior seasons (2017-18) before being selected in the second round (No. 51 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
The Eagles acquired him in a trade three years later during the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s been the team’s best playmaker at wide receiver in the three years since.
In 2024, he had his third consecutive 1,000-yard season despite missing four games due to injury. In the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LIX, Brown had nine receptions, 139 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles handily defeated the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs by a combined score of 95-45.
Based on Brown’s speech to the class of 2025, the Eagles won’t have to worry about a let-up on his end this fall.
“Your habits are your investments,” Brown said. “Nobody’s coming to build it for you.
“And nobody’s coming to rescue you when it gets hard. Success isn’t owned. It’s rented. And rent is due every single day,” he added.
While the message was to a graduation audience, his teammates should also listen. It helps that it comes from one of the team’s best players. That mentality will serve the Eagles well as they attempt to become the third team this century to win back-to-back Lombardi Trophies.
Brown has been one of Philadelphia’s top playmakers since his arrival. While he should continue being a difference-maker in 2025, his biggest contribution might be his off-field leadership.
