Forging Champions: The Unorthodox Parenting Tactics of John Brown

John Brown, the father of Detroit Lions star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and fascination in the Netflix docuseries "Receiver." As a two-time former Mr. Universe, Brown's parenting tactics have been the subject of much debate, but his results speak for themselves – two of his sons currently play in the National Football League, with a third narrowly missing the opportunity due to injuries.

Sculpting Champions: The Brown Family's Unconventional Approach to Raising Elite Athletes

Eliminating Distractions: The Sledgehammer Incident

John Brown's approach to parenting was uncompromising, and he was not afraid to make bold decisions to ensure his children's success. In a recent appearance on a podcast hosted by his sons Amon-Ra and Equanimeous, Brown revealed a controversial parenting tactic – the destruction of his children's video game consoles."All that Game Boy stuff, I didn't like that. Your mom brought that in the house. I didn't like all that. I don't like those video games. In my opinion, you had to suffer because we were taking it away, your mom figured out a way to cut it off," Brown said. "One of you guys videotaped it. I took the sledgehammer and broke it and made you videotape me breaking it. So don't tell me I didn't. I didn't like that. I think that's a sacrifice."This drastic measure was part of Brown's unwavering belief that video games and other distractions could hinder his children's development and their pursuit of athletic excellence. He was determined to create an environment that fostered focus, discipline, and a relentless work ethic.

Balancing the Workload: The Sacrifices of the St. Brown Siblings

The Brown family's lifestyle was far from the norm, and Amon-Ra and Equanimeous didn't fully realize the differences until they were older. In addition to their rigorous workout regimen, the brothers were also expected to excel academically, with homework taking priority over leisure activities."Also, your education. You had to come home, do your homework, then workout with me. It was a lot on your plate. But to you, it was what you did," Brown explained. "You didn't realize that your friends weren't doing that until maybe you went to their house and saw how they were living. It's a sacrifice there."This demanding schedule was a stark contrast to the more relaxed lifestyles of their peers, but the St. Brown siblings embraced the challenge, driven by their father's unwavering belief in their potential.

Embracing the Unconventional: John Brown's Workout Philosophy

John Brown's approach to physical training was equally unorthodox, as he began having his children lift weights as early as five years old. This decision was met with skepticism from some, but Brown remained steadfast in his convictions."In my house, five years old you start lifting weights in the garage. So five, six, seven, we're all in the garage getting down," Brown explained. "A lot of people would say, because they did come to my garage, 'Mr. Brown, I don't think you should be doing that.' I said, 'Alright, I understand that. You do what you do, I do what I do.' We saw how this thing turns out."While the St. Brown siblings did not engage in heavy or strenuous lifts, the early introduction to strength training laid the foundation for their physical development and athletic success. Brown's unwavering belief in the benefits of early strength training has been validated by the achievements of his sons."I was right with that. I was thinking about, don't lift weights at an early age. We didn't do squats at five years old, or deadlifts. But in terms of lifting weights at a young age — it stunts your growth, I don't know who said that. I've never met that guy," said Brown. "I don't believe that, so don't believe that. It's not true. So you should start, I think earlier the better. A stronger you will beat a weaker you, is what I think."The Brown family's unconventional approach to parenting and physical training has undoubtedly played a significant role in the success of their children. While their methods may have been met with skepticism, the results speak for themselves, as two of the Brown brothers have carved out successful careers in the NFL, with the third narrowly missing the opportunity due to injuries.