Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»News»Eagles running back AJ Dillon embraces mental challenges of chess to prepare for ‘perfect’ opportunity
News

Eagles running back AJ Dillon embraces mental challenges of chess to prepare for ‘perfect’ opportunity

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleJune 25, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
Eagles running back AJ Dillon embraces mental challenges of chess to prepare for ‘perfect’ opportunity
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A.J. Dillon wants to make a good impression when he takes the field with the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sept. 4.

The running back spent his first five years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, sharing touches with Aaron Jones for most of his tenure. Dillon missed the 2024 season with a neck injury, but the Philadelphia Eagles signed him in free agency – and it is obvious to see why he joined the Birds.

“Coming off a Super Bowl, best offensive line in football, Saquon [Barkley]’s a guy I’ve known for a long time, so it really worked out perfect,” Dillon told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “I’m loving my role there, getting to know my teammates, Philly’s a great city, they got awesome fans, food’s great, football’s great, and it’s a great city. It’s awesome to be out there, and I’m looking forward to the season.”

However, earlier this month, in an effort to fire up his mind before heading to training camp, Dillon joined several other NFL stars, including Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray and eventual winner Justin Reid in the Chess.com BlitzChamps tournament. 

Reid also won the tournament last year.

Dillon’s results were not what he was hoping for, saying, “there’s some chess sharks in the league,” but he added the game of chess is an ideal mental warm-up for football.

AJ Dillon practicing

ICE CUBE’S SON DISHES ON DAD’S RAIDERS DEVOTION, SHARED CONCERN OVER SHEDEUR SANDERS’ UNEXPECTED DRAFT SLIDE

“I think the mental piece in football is such a big thing. I think when you talk about what sets people apart, because obviously, everybody’s talented at the college level, and at the NFL, everyone’s big and strong, but it’s that mental piece,” Dillon continued. “How quickly can you gather information? How can you think back into the scouting report, and so forth?

“You can only do so much football, so still trying to challenge your mind, but also get your mind off of football. Chess is a great way, and trying to stimulate the mind in different ways, chess does that in a way where you’re really thinking strategically, and there’s a lot of correlations between chess and football, I think.”

Dillon was also able to raise money for his charity, which he started last year.

“Being able to not only play chess and have fun, but also be able to have extra money to donate to a great cause like everybody else will be able to do for whatever they represent this is a huge blessing in itself,” he added.

The competitive nature in Dillon will not let him phone it in after one subpar tournament appearance, either.

AJ Dillon at charity event

“Next time, I’ll be a lot better. It definitely made me hungry. I’m a competitor,” Dillon said. “It’s OK, my first time. I know what the competition is like, so I gotta step it up. I got the Chess.com app downloaded on the phone, so when I got some down time, definitely will play some exhibition matches and things like that. Definitely looking at shake up the tables next year.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.



Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleIs Glock About to Drop Gen 6? Here’s What They’re NOT Telling You
Next Article Rubio cracks up at Trump’s reaction to NATO leader calling president ‘daddy’

Related Articles

Vance tells Musk to stay ‘loyal’ to Trump’s Republican Party amid third party speculation

Vance tells Musk to stay ‘loyal’ to Trump’s Republican Party amid third party speculation

August 21, 2025
FIRST ON FOX: Navy slashes civilian public affairs jobs in push for military readiness

FIRST ON FOX: Navy slashes civilian public affairs jobs in push for military readiness

August 21, 2025
Pope Leo opts to share papal residence with four associates, breaking with tradition

Pope Leo opts to share papal residence with four associates, breaking with tradition

August 20, 2025
Controversial US-born Chinese Olympic skier Eileen Gu suffers ‘terrible accident’ in training: report

Controversial US-born Chinese Olympic skier Eileen Gu suffers ‘terrible accident’ in training: report

August 20, 2025
Rocks hurled through DC church’s stained-glass windows, car destroyed as federal crime crackdown continues

Rocks hurled through DC church’s stained-glass windows, car destroyed as federal crime crackdown continues

August 20, 2025
Self-Defense Claim Frees Texas Man After May Shooting

Self-Defense Claim Frees Texas Man After May Shooting

August 20, 2025
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel calls out those who abuse handicap parking in Starbucks lot: ‘I’d slash their tires’

Patriots’ Mike Vrabel calls out those who abuse handicap parking in Starbucks lot: ‘I’d slash their tires’

August 20, 2025
D.C. Changes Stance, Says Yes To Open Carry Of Rifles And Shotguns In Public

D.C. Changes Stance, Says Yes To Open Carry Of Rifles And Shotguns In Public

August 20, 2025
Chris Matthews tells Dems to abandon ‘all this other crap’ on open borders and trans issues, focus on economy

Chris Matthews tells Dems to abandon ‘all this other crap’ on open borders and trans issues, focus on economy

August 20, 2025
Don't Miss
Texas Dem abruptly leaves call with Newsom, other party members after being told she’s committing felony

Texas Dem abruptly leaves call with Newsom, other party members after being told she’s committing felony

Vance tells Musk to stay ‘loyal’ to Trump’s Republican Party amid third party speculation

Vance tells Musk to stay ‘loyal’ to Trump’s Republican Party amid third party speculation

United and Delta face lawsuits over windowless window seats sold to passengers for extra fees

United and Delta face lawsuits over windowless window seats sold to passengers for extra fees

Tea Party bus vandalized in Phoenix during nationwide tour, group says they ‘will not be intimidated’

Tea Party bus vandalized in Phoenix during nationwide tour, group says they ‘will not be intimidated’

Latest News
Federal Trade Commission sues LA Fitness operators over ‘exceedingly difficult’ membership cancellations

Federal Trade Commission sues LA Fitness operators over ‘exceedingly difficult’ membership cancellations

August 21, 2025
Abbott scores big win in redistricting battle as Texas Democrats’ blockade collapses

Abbott scores big win in redistricting battle as Texas Democrats’ blockade collapses

August 20, 2025
Pope Leo opts to share papal residence with four associates, breaking with tradition

Pope Leo opts to share papal residence with four associates, breaking with tradition

August 20, 2025
Trump’s D.C. “Takeover” Is Missing the Point

Trump’s D.C. “Takeover” Is Missing the Point

August 20, 2025
SOKN Fixed Blade Sequel Out for the End of Summer

SOKN Fixed Blade Sequel Out for the End of Summer

August 20, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.