500+ career receptions, 6,000+ receiving yards, and 40+ receiving touchdowns, Amon-Ra St. Brown has built an elite résumé in just five NFL seasons. His statistics speak for themselves. Behind it, he credits his father, John Brown, and especially his bodybuilding background.

Netflix Sports recently dropped a one-on-one conversation featuring Amon-Ra, where he revealed his father’s background: “My dad was a two-time Mr. Universe, three-time Mr. World bodybuilder.”

The camera then panned to his father working out in a gym as he said, “I know I'm a father, but I'm freaking Mr. Universe two times. I know what I'm talking about when it comes to this stuff here.”

Despite his talent, John wanted his boy to remain disciplined. John entered the bodybuilding scene as a teenager back in 1975. Soon after that, he captured the Mr. Los Angeles title in 1977 and won the NABBA Mr. Universe in 1981 and 1982.

Standing at 6’1”, weighing 250 pounds, he competed in 12 IFBB pro shows, including the 1985 Mr Olympia, but despite his lean physique, he never placed above eighth.

Always a disciplined man, he taught whatever he could to Amon. Interestingly, the wide receiver recalled a story from his childhood about a game that went badly for him.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Narrates The Story of John’s approach

When a match went badly for him, his father was deeply involved in the teaching process. His opponent caught everything thrown his way. After the game, John approached the other kid’s father and asked him what the secret was.

“My dad goes up to his dad, you know, being the guy he is, and asks his dad, what do you guys do? '” said Amon Ra.

He further added,” Like, your son's having a really good, and he goes, you know, we have a jug machine, and we catch 200 balls a day. And so he got the jug machine, and he's like, if he's gonna catch 200, we gotta catch 202. Like, we gotta be better than him.”

After that endeavor, Amon-Ra’s training completely changed. After his workout sessions, he would catch hundreds of throws. No wonder it shaped him into what he is today.

Are you a fan? What is your favorite Amon-Ra St. Brown moment?

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Joyita Das