The Tennessee Titans got quite the bargain when they landed wide receiver AJ Brown in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Last year’s 51st overall pick, Brown has quickly established himself as one of the best young pass-catchers in the league, and a cornerstone of the undefeated Titans.
Brown recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about why he’s hungry to be the best, advice for the next wave of receivers coming into the league, and when he experienced his “welcome to the NFL” moment.
JM: You’re the sixth player to be awarded the SNICKERS Chain this season, which is awarded to the league’s ‘Hungriest Player’ each week. Legendary jeweler Ben Baller designed the chain, and it’s really stunning. What was your initial reaction like when you first saw it?
AJB: The chain is most definitely legit. I’m a big chain guy myself, and I definitely got excited when I first saw it. Shout out to Ben Baller for the chain, man.
Don’t matter the game, I’m hungry for that W. @snickers #SNICKERSchain #titanup #ad pic.twitter.com/pkaiymU937
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) October 20, 2020
JM: Would advice would you offer to a young wide receiver that’s trying to break into the league?
AJB: I would just advise them not to think too much. It’s still football at the end of the day. This game and this league is more mental than it is physical. Never forget that. That’s what it is at this point. You just have to get over that hump. It can be tough for a young guy, but the mental aspect is definitely the most important part.
You just have to know that it’s mental. If you can do that, you’ll be fine. This league is all about making plays at the end of the day. If you can do that, they’ll find a spot for you. You’ll last a long time in this league if you’re able to do that.
JM: You’re about two years removed from the NFL draft process now. What would you say was the best and worst part of the process?
AJB: Traveling was definitely the worst part. I hated that (laughs). Traveling around the country for a single day at a time to meet all of the teams was tough. Those were some long days. That was definitely the worst. Hearing your name called as you celebrate with your family is definitely the best part of the NFL draft. To have your family there with you, to see the joy in their eyes, that was definitely my favorite part.
JM: I interviewed you when you were still at Ole Miss. I was reading through that interview this morning, and one quote really stuck out to me, when I asked you why you were the best receiver in college at the time:
“I play with a lot of energy, and I’m tough to bring down. I create after the catch, I can make things happen with the ball in my hands. I don’t like to let one person tackle me.” That statement still holds up, doesn’t it?
AJB: I try to stick to that. I don’t like letting one guy bring me down. I can’t let that happen. Whenever I get the ball in my hands, I try to make big things happen. That statement is still true today.
JM: What was your “Welcome to the NFL” moment?
AJB: I remember my first NFL game against the Cleveland Browns. I watched Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry run out of the tunnel onto the field as the crowd went absolutely crazy. I could just feel the atmosphere change at that moment when those guys made their entrance. They’re true superstars. That was my “Welcome to the NFL” moment. I felt like, “I’m here now.”
Fans can check out AJ’s social media to see the chain and follow #SNICKERSchain on social to see which player gets it each week throughout the season.
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