Chris Stapleton Impressed With Philadelphia Eagles Star’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ Cover – Country Legend Hints at Future Collaboration
In a story that blends the worlds of country music and the NFL, country music superstar Chris Stapleton has expressed admiration for a surprising source: a Philadelphia Eagles player who recently performed a jaw-dropping rendition of Stapleton’s iconic hit, “Tennessee Whiskey.” The unexpected performance, which was captured on video during an Eagles charity event, has since gone viral — and even caught the attention of the Grammy-winning singer himself.
Now, fans are buzzing with speculation after Stapleton hinted that he wants to collaborate directly with the Eagles star, praising both the voice and the heart behind the performance.
A Viral Surprise from the Gridiron
It all started at the Philadelphia Eagles’ annual charity gala, a star-studded event where players took turns showcasing talents far beyond the football field. One of the night’s standout moments came when Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown stepped up to the microphone and delivered a soulful, pitch-perfect version of “Tennessee Whiskey” — originally written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, and made famous again by Stapleton’s 2015 cover.
Brown’s performance was raw, passionate, and surprisingly refined. The crowd of fans, teammates, and media members fell silent as the NFL star hit every note with precision and emotion. The video was uploaded to social media just hours later, quickly racking up millions of views and shares.
Chris Stapleton Reacts: “He’s Got the Soul”
Within days, the clip reached Stapleton himself, who shared the video on his official X (formerly Twitter) account with the caption:
“Didn’t expect this from the Eagles’ locker room. A.J. Brown’s got the soul. Respect. Let’s make some music sometime.”
Fans exploded with excitement, with some calling for an official duet between the country icon and the Pro Bowl receiver. In a follow-up interview on SiriusXM’s The Highway, Stapleton elaborated:
“Man, I’ve seen a lot of people try to sing that song, and A.J. didn’t just sing it — he felt it. That’s what music’s all about. If he’s serious, I’d love to get in the studio and see what happens.”
A.J. Brown Responds: “Let’s Do It”
It didn’t take long for A.J. Brown to respond. On Instagram, the wideout posted a photo of Stapleton’s quote with the caption:
“Say the word, brother. Tennessee boys gotta stick together.”
Indeed, both Stapleton and Brown share Tennessee roots. Brown, originally from Starkville, Mississippi, played college football at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), just a short drive from Nashville, while Stapleton is a Kentucky native who rose to fame from Tennessee’s country music scene.
Their potential collaboration could be one of the most unexpected — and most exciting — crossovers between the sports and music worlds in recent memory.
Fans Rally for a Country-NFL Collab
Reactions from fans have been overwhelmingly positive, with hashtags like #AJxStapleton and #TennesseeWhiskeyRemix trending on social media.
“I had no idea A.J. could sing like that! A duet would be insane,” one fan commented on TikTok.
Country music radio stations and Eagles fan accounts alike have been promoting the idea, with some suggesting the two perform together during halftime at a 2025 Eagles home game or even collaborate on a new version of “Tennessee Whiskey.”
The Eagles’ official social media account joined in, posting: “Coach Sirianni says he’ll allow studio time after we get another win 😎🎶 #FlyEaglesFly #TennesseeWhiskey”
More Than a Gimmick
While celebrity collaborations aren’t new, what makes this story stand out is the authenticity on both sides. Stapleton is widely respected for his rootsy, soulful music and his resistance to over-commercialization. Brown, on the other hand, has shown an artistic side before, occasionally posting singing clips online, but nothing on the scale of this recent performance.
Music insiders say this could be more than a fun crossover — it might open doors for other athletes with hidden musical talent.
“Don’t be surprised if you see more NFL players stepping into the studio,” said Nashville-based producer Ray Monroe. “If A.J. Brown and Chris Stapleton pull this off, it’ll show that music and sports are closer than we think.”
What’s Next?
While there’s no official word yet on whether the two have set a date to collaborate, both camps have confirmed that “conversations are happening.” Whether it’s a live performance, a studio track, or a surprise Super Bowl appearance, fans are now eagerly watching both the charts and the schedule.
For now, one thing is clear: A.J. Brown’s voice has earned more than just cheers from the stands — it’s got the seal of approval from one of country music’s most legendary voices.
