MADISON – Being the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers comes with a lot of extra weight.
There’s a history of Hall of Famers – and a soon-to-be one in Pittsburgh – under center. Expectations from fans are to compete for a Super Bowl appearance. Off the field, there are endless demands on their time.
Jordan Love is about to enter his fourth season as Green Bay’s signal-caller, and he’s clearly comfortable in his own skin with all the duties of the job.
Love made an appearance at the AmFam Championship on June 6 as a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance. He hobnobbed with fans on the course at TPC Wisconsin and schmoozed with business-types. He chatted it up with former Packers legends Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson, who know well the pressure that Love deals with every day.
The 27-year-old’s equanimity is even more impressive these days, considering he has added being a first-time dad to his demanding schedule. Love and his wife, Ronika Stone Love, recently announced the birth of daughter Rayna Capri Love.
“It’s going great so far, we’re enjoying it,” Love said. “It’s definitely made life a lot different just coming home for me now from work and just changing diapers and doing the whole deal.
“It’s definitely a lot different, but it’s a blessing. We’re very blessed to have Rayna in our lives now and we’re very excited to continue to watch her grow. It’s great. Ronika’s loving it. I’m loving it.”
Donald Driver loves Jordan Love as Packers quarterback
As hard as it might be for Packers fans to believe, Driver retired almost 14 years ago. He’s a beloved franchise legend, and the wide receiver has been building a relationship with Love since the quarterback was drafted in the first round in 2020.
“Just told him ‘This is going to be an amazing journey for you,’ ” Driver said. “If you think about the history of this franchise, he’s probably one of the first starting Black quarterbacks in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, and that’s a history being made in itself.
“I just told him, like, ‘This is your team, this is your journey to go on, enjoy.’ We connected everysingle step of the way. I think that’s what you do, you build friendships and relationships thatlast a long time. So I’ve always cheered for him from the day he walked in these doors andnow he has a spot to be the face of that organization for a very long time.”
Driver also made an appearance at Love’s charity softball game in Grand Chute on June 5.
Love has been very engaged with his Hands of 10ve Foundation, which promotes physical and mental well-being for children through sports.
“Some kids just don’t have the opportunity, whatever that might be, to play in sports year in and year out and afford some of the gear and equipment,” Love said. “So try to get kids involved.
“Try to have them have opportunities to be around other NFL players and people who have made it to the highest level. Just people they can continue to look up to, it’s going to change their lives, impact their lives for the better I believe.”
Of course, Love’s main job will kick into high gear soon – and all the attendant stresses – with training camp in July.
“We’re looking forward to a great year as always,” Love said. “I think this time of the season is very exciting.
“Obviously we get back together as a team and continue to keep building upon the year before. I’m very excited, I think we’ve got a lot of talent on this team like we’ve had. We’re adding a lot of new faces with this rookie class, so I’m excited. The guys are hungry, putting in the work right now.”
Love only answered questions from an AmFam communications employee. He was then hustled off to the next appearance.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers QB Jordan Love poised in the pocket at AmFam Championship
Reporting by Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
