A life-long Eagles fan, Hollywood Brown is more than a little bit excited about playing here. Yes, he knows the passion of the fans – he is one, after all – and he knows what the team expects from him on the field. He sat down with Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro for an exclusive one-on-one interview where he talked about all of that and, of course, how "Hollywood" came to be ...

Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro: Marquise Brown … congratulations on being here. Let's start with "Hollywood," and how that came to be. You're playing at Oklahoma and the TV broadcaster Gus Johnson (former Eagles preseason play-by-play announcer) is doing play-by-play and you are running down the field and he looks down at his information to see that you're from Hollywood, Florida and calls you "Hollywood Brown" and all of a sudden you have a new name. That's quite a thing to happen to a young person. What did that do for your brand, your career, your maturity?

Hollywood Brown: "It definitely flipped the switch that did a lot of stuff overnight. 'Hollywood' took off and I had to answer a lot more questions about who I was as a person, rather than talking about my football play. Why are they calling me 'Hollywood?' Is he all about 'Hollywood?' For me, I took it as being as a symbol of where I'm from. I'm from Hollywood, Florida. There is a lot of poverty there. There is not much inspiration there. So, I took it as a chance to inspire so many people, so many kids that I know, so many family members that I know and wear that on my sleeve. To this day, I feel like I'm representing them and every time 'Hollywood' goes out, people from home know where that's coming from. My friends from home, they call me 'Jet,' so it's kind of two different worlds."

Spadaro: The city of Hollywood has honored you, and I imagine that has made you so proud to be recognized for what you've accomplished and the way you've lived your life?

Brown: "Definitely. They gave me a key to the city and I've been hosting Hollywood Brown Day down in Florida every year since I've been drafted and I'm proud of the way the community has rallied around it all and has helped me help the community. It is definitely up there among all the things that I do in my life."

Spadaro: Let's talk football ... what does it take to be a great receiver in the NFL? What has this NFL life been like for you?

Brown: "I think the thing I've learned the most is the mental side of the game. Everything has to go right for a wide receiver – quarterback, coaching, the offensive line has to block. For a receiver, one play can be good for you and everything has to come into place and the timing has to be there and, mentally, you have to be in it even if it isn't your time. If things are going well, you have to stay level. Don't feel too good. Stay here, be consistent, level-headed. That's what I've learned the most about being in the NFL."

Spadaro: You told reporters that you feel your best play is right here in front of you. Why do you feel that way?

Brown: "I told my wife (Zoei) as we were talking about my career that my first three years (with Baltimore) were like this (holds hand in upward trajectory) and then I break my foot. Then I'm in Arizona and Kyler Murray had a bunch of injuries (he played 11 games in 2022 and 8 in 2023). Then my following year, I go to Kansas City and have a season-long injury (Brown didn't play until December and had 9 receptions in two games in the regular season, with 5 receptions for 50 yards in the postseason). All those things, I can feel bad about or dwell on, but ultimately, all of that stuff prepared me for where I am now. Last year with Kansas City, we didn't have the season we wanted, but I learned so much as a player – staying healthy, going week by week with a great organization. I bring more to a team than just being a wide receiver. I feel like I have value leadership-wise and being fun and bringing that energy."

Spadaro: You've also said that you feel you are faster and more explosive now going into your ninth season. Why is that?

Brown: "I played with screws in my foot and I was injured early in my career. I test with my trainer and I am way faster now, way more explosive. I'm healthy. I feel great. It's about getting an opportunity to show it now. It's exciting for me because I know what I can do and my mentality is to take full advantage of this opportunity."

Spadaro: You've played in Baltimore, Arizona, and Kansas City and now you are here. Does it feel any different walking into this building as an Eagle?

Brown: "I feel a big difference. Just the vibe and the culture here. You can tell a winning culture. You can tell that everybody is for each other. You can tell everyone has one goal. The way I envision football is the way this team and this city envision football. Nothing was handed to me. I've worked for everything I've gotten. I believe that hard work pays off. So, being at a place like this, with the Eagles, and hearing those same core values that I value as a player is very exciting. I mean, you really feel it when you spend some time in this building. You can tell the way the people are with each other and the message they have."

Spadaro: What happens next with you? Do you jump right in?

Brown: "From the moment I decided I was coming here, my wife has been working the phones trying to find a place for us to live. I've been training the entire offseason and I got with the strength staff here and they sent me over their program so that I can implement that into my training. I will be here for OTAs and from that point on, we are rolling."

Spadaro: You've played against the Eagles. What is the book on the Eagles when you play against them?

Brown: "It's going to be a physical game and a detailed game. I played against Philly for every team I've been on and you know it's going to be a battle. Every play matters. You know they are going to be prepared and they are going to get after it on every play. You better be ready for it."

Spadaro: You know the culture. You've been an Eagles fan. Do you REALLY know what Eagles fans are like?

Brown: "Of course I do! I'm one of them. I'm that kind of fan, too. All of this stuff – even from the media side of it – I understand it. I've been following the Eagles since I was a kid. One of my friends, oh my gosh, he talks crazzzy about the Eagles. I get it. I know what I'm getting myself into! I played Eagles on Madden all the time and that Super Bowl team from 2004 – I know every player, first team through third string. Everybody. Broke my heart when we lost to New England."