AJ Brown‘s trajectory as a top receiver in the NFL is vivid proof of strong familial support. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, signing a phenomenal $100 million contract extension. And, behind his NFL success, his two sisters, Reva Claybrook and Shareda Robertson stand as his solid support system.

Born to Arthur Brown and Josette Robertson, Reva Claybrook is A.J. Brown’s older sister. She is an established entrepreneur, and with her daughter, she runs Zoey’s Bow2ful Boutique. Growing up, she was involved in sports, particularly basketball. On the other hand, Shareda Robertson played softball during her collegiate years, sharing athletic passions with her brother.

Brown and his sisters were raised in Starkville in a disciplined environment. He was an unplanned child, as his parents had decided to not have more children after two daughters. Josette often refers to Brown’s birth humorously, remarking, “We said we were through. Two girls were gonna be it. But we joke now and I tell his daddy that he prayed for him, that he was praying against me so he could have somebody to carry on his name.”

However, his sisters also noted that A.J. had it easier than they did, as their father believed that “boys are different from girls.” The siblings grew up in the old-fashioned way, but they were always there to support each other despite the challenges.

The supportive sisters of A.J. Brown

Back in 2019, when Brown was drafted by the Titans, he was thoroughly appreciative of Reva’s proximity as she was situated in Clarksville, Tennessee. He was 21, and switching his collegiate career to the NFL created intense pressure for him. But having Reva nearby was a breath of relief for Brown.

Talking about Reva’s support back then, he remarked, “She’s 28, several years older than me, so it was nice to have her here to help me get settled in,” as he shared during an interview. “Really, that was huge for me. When you go to a new place, you want to be around your family, and she would cook me home-cooked meals, and she just made me feel like I wasn’t alone.” Reva made sure that A.J. was able to maintain his “homebody nature” during the transition.

Robertson, on the other hand, also connects deeply with A.J. She once recounted a memorable incident when they faced a childhood punishment, “I’m like, ‘Hey, let’s run away.’ And A.J.’s like, ‘OK, let’s do it,’” Shareda said. “So I look up and I’m like, ‘Where’s A.J.?’ A.J. literally ran outside and halfway down the driveway. And I’m like, ‘We’re not running away for real.’ He was like, ‘I thought we [got] through!’”, recalling the shared moments of fun and bonding with him.

Reminiscing yet another anecdote from their childhood days, she recalled, “You know what A.J. used to say when he was younger? ‘When he blow up — ba-boom — we all blow up.’” Shareda is always appreciative of her brother’s competitive spirit, adding, “he was always on the go.”

Both the sisters share a close relationship with A.J., taking care of him at all times. Reva is always mindful of his emotional well-being, as she once remarked, “It’s hard for us to picture him now. We don’t know if he’s sad, we don’t know if he’s happy. We’re like, ‘Whatcha thinking?’” A.J. has battled depression, and with his sisters by his side, he had the support he needed. Reva was always there to check up on him, adding, “I follow up on him now and say, ‘How’s your mental?’ If he shakes his head, I know he’s good.”

It is with his sibling’s constant support, A.J. Brown has successfully navigated the challenges to etch his name in the NFL.