Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown revealed why he decided to pull out of hosting a youth football camp in Nashville.
Wide receivers have been on the move this NFL offseason. On the first night of the NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first-round pick. It was then revealed that the Eagles signed Brown to a four-year contract extension.
On Friday, May 20, Brown released a statement indicating that he was pulling out of hosting a youth football camp that was scheduled for June in Nashville due to his peace being “threatened by adults who feel a way because I was traded.” Brown apologized to the kids and said he did not want to put himself at risk.
A.J. Brown releases statement regarding youth camp cancellation
"“I’m so sorry I let down your kids and many others but I will not put myself in a place where my peace is going to be threatened by adults who feel a way because I was traded,” wrote Brown, h/t ProFootballTalk. “I’m every bad word it is for taking care of MY FAMILY! If you’re not aware just look on social media. I’m a man first and I will always do what I feel is right for me and my family. People are upset and that’s fine but it’s not that serious when it comes to me. People can disrespect me on social media and that’s fine but being disrespectful to my face is whole another things and I’m not tolerating it on any level. So forgive me for not putting myself in a place where my peace could be threatened because if something happens and I react, I’m the one who has everything to lose and not willing to risk my peace, my family, or my job.“I would love to make everyone children’s day but not if I’m putting my own at risk. Please don’t say nothing is going to happen because nobody knows that. I’m sure someone will still have a problem with this and that’s fine as well. If you can’t understand that then it’s because you don’t want to. Take care! Love.”"
Brown was in search for a new contract with the Titans, as his rookie contract expired at the end of the 2022 season. Ultimately, both sides could not reach an agreement on a deal, which resulted in Tennessee negotiating a trade with Philadelphia. And it occurred in the middle of the first round of the draft.
It was revealed shortly after the trade was announced that the Eagles and Brown agreed to terms on a four-year, $100 million contract. Meanwhile, the Titans used their recently acquired 18th overall pick to select Arkansas wideout Treylon Burks.
Brown apologized for pulling out of the camp, but he says he did so in order to look out for his safety.