A.J. Brown ahead of matchup vs. Titans: Tennessee fans 'hate me'
Sunday's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field is one of the most anticipated matchups of the week. Not only does it feature a clash between two playoff contenders, but it's also the first time Eagles receiver A.J. Brown will face his former team.
Brown, whom Tennessee traded to Philly in April, recently said he doesn't think Titans fans have fully moved on from his departure.
"Oh, they hate me," Brown said of Titans fans, according to James Palmer of NFL Network. "Part of it is my fault. I mean, some people still love me, but I think the majority of their fans are out to get me. It's a part of it, though."
Brown added that there's "nothing personal" between him and the Titans, according to Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In May, Brown also said continuing harassment from fans following his trade from the Titans led to him canceling his inaugural youth football camp in Nashville.
The 25-year-old reportedly requested a trade from the Titans three weeks before the 2022 NFL Draft amid stalled contract talks with the club. Tennessee sent him to Philadelphia during the draft in exchange for a first-round pick. The Eagles then made Brown one of the league's highest-paid receivers with a four-year, $100-million extension.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who played with Brown between 2019-21, praised the wideout ahead of Week 13.
"I love A.J.," Tannehill said Wednesday, according to Ben Arthur of FOX Sports. "I miss having him around. But, obviously, he's doing well over there. Just hope it's not too well on this Sunday."
Brown has caught 53 passes for 831 yards and seven touchdowns through 11 games this season. The 2019 second-round pick racked up 2,995 yards and 24 scores on 185 receptions across three campaigns with Tennessee.
The 10-1 Eagles and 7-4 Titans currently lead the NFC East and AFC South, respectively.
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