AJ Brown appeared to stop Eagles teammate DeVonta Smith from catching a potential game-winning Hail Mary during their defeat to the Broncos – and NFL fans are convinced he sabotaged it on purpose.
On the very last play at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts frantically launched the ball towards the back of the end zone with the Super Bowl champions trailing Denver 21-17.
Yet as Smith leapt in the air to take what would have been the game-winning catch, Brown also jumped up behind him and leant his hands over to try and do so himself.
In an astonishing moment, he ultimately got in his fellow wide receiver’s way and the Hail Mary went begging, meaning the Broncos inflicted their first defeat of the season.
And following the dramatic moment, a number of fans accused Brown of intentionally spoiling the play following his own underwhelming start to the season.
The 28-year-old – who has not seen much of the ball so far in 2025 – blasted his team last week despite their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having been held to a single-digit receiving total for the second time this campaign.
AJ Brown appeared to stop an Eagles teammate from catching a game-winning Hail Mary
On the Hail Mary mix-up, one user wrote: ‘AJ said if I’m not getting it then nobody is’.
‘Brown so mad at the fact that Smith is having a better year, he prevented it from getting any better,’ said another.
‘AJ was successfully playing against the Eagles today,’ joked a third.
A fourth put: ‘AJ Brown might be champion level hater… That shoulda been a catch by smith’.
While one quipped: ‘If he can’t be the hero then he’ll be the villain’.
Brown registered five catches for 43 yards in the defeat, while Smith had eight receptions for 114 yards. Neither man scored a touchdown on the day.
Amid his struggles this season, AJ shared a cryptic message on social media last weekend.
‘If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw,’ the post read. ‘Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.’
The words from Brown were the Bible verse Mark 6:11. At the time, the Eagles had won 20 of their last 21 games, including in the postseason.
Sunday’s loss to the Broncos was their first since a defeat to the Washington Commanders on December 22.
