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What are NFL gamers studying this summer time?

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  • Tim McManusJul 2, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

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      Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after masking the Eagles for Philadelphia Journal’s Birds 24/7, a website he helped create, since 2010.

A part of what makes an NFL season so fascinating — very like a great e-book — is the out-of-nowhere plot twists.

Who would have guessed, for instance, that the most important storyline to emerge from January’s NFC wild-card sport between the Philadelphia Eagles and Inexperienced Bay Packers can be a participant’s studying habits.

That participant, in fact, was star receiver A.J. Brown. When cameras panned the Eagles’ sideline throughout the second half, the picture of Brown studying Jim Murphy’s “Inside Excellence” on the bench was broadcast to a nationwide viewers.

Given Brown’s quiet sport (one catch for 10 yards on three targets), the huge assumption was that it was an indication of frustration. But it surely seems Brown was utilizing the e-book to tune in, not out.

“I am simply utilizing it for soccer, to have my peak efficiency, attempting to have my greatest self on the market on the sector,” he advised ESPN on the time.

Gross sales for “Inside Excellence” surged throughout the nation and Brown leaned into the newly revealed a part of his persona. He printed his personal studying record on social media earlier this offseason, encouraging his followers to discover a e-book that pursuits them “so you may turn into a greater model of your self.”

Whereas he may now be the face of avid readership within the NFL, it seems he is hardly alone. From “Struggle and Peace” to the “Harry Potter” collection, books are being devoured by gamers throughout the 32 groups.

Some squads, just like the Atlanta Falcons, have their very own e-book membership that meets each offseason. The Washington Commanders are one other group that likes to learn collectively: Quarterback Jayden Daniels, linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Mike Sainristil simply completed a biography on Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, tight finish Zach Ertz was lately turned onto thriller novelist Harlan Coben by coach Dan Quinn whereas OL Ted Karras of the Cincinnati Bengals trades books with workforce president Mike Brown infrequently.

Books are usually not solely a car of self-improvement for these athletes, but additionally a method to curb display screen time. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy mentioned he makes an effort to delete Instagram and different social media apps off his cellphone, opting to learn as a substitute.

“I will simply attempt to make an emphasis on studying and getting my thoughts on issues which can be greater than myself, and that helps me simply with my life normally,” Purdy mentioned. “After which clearly I believe studying earlier than mattress and chopping out the blue mild, all these sorts of issues have helped me with my restoration and stuff too.”

It is nonetheless not for everybody. New Orleans Saints security Tyrann Mathieu joked that his children do not even give him a second’s peace within the rest room, not to mention sufficient time to eat a e-book. However Brown’s public studying was only a glimpse of what is going on on behind the scenes across the league.

“I imply for NFL gamers, I really feel like all of us faucet into some kind of e-book,” mentioned Jacksonville Jaguars working again Travis Etienne Jr. “Simply affirmations … at all times remaining calm, humble, and simply at all times telling your self what you might want to hear to go on the market and make that subsequent play.”

Our NFL Nation reporters spoke with gamers across the league about their studying habits and what they’re studying this summer time. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear was the commonest choose, however what else cracked the record? Try the total picks under.

His choose: “The Artwork of Successful” by Invoice Belichick

“I began studying in 2024; my aim is to learn a e-book a month and it morphed into studying 40 pages or 40 minutes an evening and it is actually only a means for me to decompress and go to sleep simpler. I learn the Bible daily and I learn a e-book at night time,” he mentioned.

His picks: “Cannot Damage Me” by David Goggins; “Worry Is a Selection: Tackling Life’s Challenges with Dignity, Religion, and Willpower” by James Conner and Tiffany Yecke Brooks

“Cannot Damage Me” is about “having the ability to wire your mind to the place conditions which can be happening round you or taking place to you, cannot essentially have that a lot maintain over the way you go ahead,” Hamlin mentioned.

Hamlin added that studying permits him “to make use of time I am losing on silly s— productively.” One space of productiveness: Hamlin’s engaged on his personal e-book, which is fittingly about overcoming adversity.

His picks: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell; “The 48 Legal guidelines of Energy” by Robert Greene

“I like [‘Outliers’] as a result of it form of exhibits you that if you happen to develop up or if you happen to’re in a sure sort of atmosphere, it might probably actually will let you thrive,” he mentioned. “Now, ’48 Legal guidelines of Energy,’ I like that e-book quite a bit as a result of it offers you guidelines. Now you do not take it actually, however there are specific issues you may have a look at and it is like, ‘Hey, how can I take advantage of my place that I am in proper now as a bonus to both elevate myself or get myself out of hassle?'”

Lake mentioned the Rams teaching workers can be crammed with adamant readers, together with coach Sean McVay and defensive backs coach Aubrey Nice.

“They at all times reference a quote from a e-book. And I believe that is superb,” Lake mentioned. “That is what I’d need to do once I develop up too, is simply gaining all this data, however giving nice, nice classes and quotes from books. I believe that is like an excellent ability to me.”

His choose: “Breath: The New Science of a Misplaced Artwork” by James Nestor

Mekari likes to learn books the place he seems like he is studying one thing, whether or not it is about historical past or anything.

“[This book] modified my perspective on [breathing], how vital it’s to breathe by your nostril … the way it makes you get better, the way you’re in a position to carry out higher. Sport altering.”

His choose: “Gospel Patrons” by John Rinehart

“It is a e-book about how you should utilize your wealth for God’s kingdom and communities and folks in want. And searching again on the historical past of those that have helped out with that form of stuff,” he mentioned.

His picks: “Harry Potter” collection by J.Ok. Rowling; the Bible; books about Hollywood

Robinson is into sci-fi and fantasy novels and has simply began the Harry Potter collection. He additionally enjoys studying books about Hollywood and actors, which is smart since he has studied appearing and had a job within the Netflix drama “Outer Banks.”

Robinson can be an avid reader of the Bible and posts quotes typically on his Instagram tales. He mentioned he normally listens to audiobooks whereas he is driving however needs to choose up the Harry Potter hardcover books and skim these as a substitute as a result of listening whereas driving will be distracting.

Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders

His choose: “The Essays of Warren Buffett: Classes for Company America” by Warren Buffett

“I wish to learn what the good folks learn. So if folks say that Buffett is the very best investor on the planet, I need to learn what he learn to attempt to be that. And so similar factor if Jay-Z has books on the market that he learn and I like the place he is at in his life and the way he is been. I learn what he reads, similar with Kendrick [Lamar],” he mentioned. “I learn what profitable folks learn and I attempt to see if I achieve the identical information that they gained to hopefully attempt to be in the identical place, if not greater.”

His choose: “Struggle and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy

Williams tends to choose self-help books, however the Professional Bowl defensive lineman is at the moment tackling the basic Russian novel — all 350-plus chapters of it.

“That is a protracted e-book,” he mentioned. “That is why I have been studying it for some time, really. I similar to to return to it infrequently, simply because it isn’t a type of books the place you might want to end the entire thing to get one thing from it.”

Josh Woods, LB, Atlanta Falcons

His picks: “Wealthy Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter; “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

Woods’ focus is self-improvement books, and he believes they’ve helped him as a participant. He was really impressed to learn extra by A.J. Brown’s second on the sidelines. The subsequent e-book on his record is “The Energy of your Unconscious Thoughts.”

“Getting nearer to 30, dude,” Woods mentioned. “Thirty is a really scary age. You work you have to change some stuff up.”

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