The father of NFL stars Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown has sparked controversy after telling his sons to avoid sleeping with white women in order to breed better athletes.

John Brown – a former bodybuilder – is the father of three Division 1 athletes and claims he is regularly asked how he managed to produce such talented athletes.

In a resurfaced clip from last summer that has gone viral this week, Brown tells his sons: ‘I believe in breeding. Look at you, good athlete, I’m black, mom is white. 

‘I’ve done stepped on it once, you can’t keep stepping on it because you’re going to mess it up. You’re going to weaken it.’

To that, Lions receiver Amon-Ra asks: ‘You can’t keep cutting it?’ to which John replies: ‘Can’t keep cutting it. You and Brooklyn [Adams, his fiancee], because Brooklyn’s half and half, you’ve got a chance.

‘You’ve got to be careful, you’ve got to think about that. I’m black, I’ve got the black gold running through my veins, I’m excited and just going to find the right person to mate with. 

John Brown – himself a former bodybuilder – has opened up about breeding such talented sons

Brown said his sons should consider not sleeping with white women to breed better athletes

John Brown keeps it real when people ask him about raising three boys that got a D1 scholarship, two of which made it to the NFL 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GgyOVqSOqf

— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) July 12, 2025

‘If I’m white, I’m saying “let me get one of those brothers around here”, if you want to have athletes. If you don’t want to have athletes, then go and spread your seed whenever.’

John was then asked why he opted to breed with a white woman – a German named Miriam – to which he replied: ‘I knew I could cut it once, because I’ve got that black gold in me.

‘Mama got that big chin and big toes. Ain’t nothing wrong with a big-toed woman. You’ve gotta think of this stuff, some guys don’t think about it til later.’

On social media, fans quickly jumped on the comments and argued back against what they perceived to be a ‘racist’ point of view.

In fact, one X user claimed: ‘That’s the most racist thing I’ve ever heard.’

John (center) has three sons with German Miriam Steyer Brown (fifth from right)

Amon-Ra is engaged to Brooklyn Adams (left), who father John refers to as ‘half and half’

Another added: ‘What an idiot. There are literally more white athletes than black athletes. It’s like, “son it’s okay for me to marry a white woman but you better not”.’ 

Others, though, sided with John Brown and claimed he is correct with his beliefs.

‘He’s saying it in the most inflammatory way possible, but if you hit the genetic jackpot and possess elite athleticism, who you have kids with matters a lot,’ one claimed. ‘Especially if you want your kids to have a chance at being a top professional athlete.’

One more added: ‘I’m not gone lie, I think about this sometimes. A child’s athletic abilities come from their mother. Gotta choose right.’ 

Amon-Ra and Equanimeous played against each other in the NFL for the Lions and Packers

John Brown has three sons, with Amon-Ra the most accomplished athlete, currently playing for the Detroit Lions. He is a three-time Pro Bowler over the last three seasons.

Equanimeous, meanwhile, has played five seasons in the NFL but is currently without a team after being released by the New Orleans Saints at the end of 2024. 

Osiris, the youngest of the three brothers, played for Stanford at college – and graduated – but decided against pursuing a professional career due to injuries.