From Notre Dame to the desert, the Arizona Cardinals newest running back is already winning over fans before taking a single snap in the NFL.
A backfield gets a much needed spark
The Arizona Cardinals did not waste time addressing one of their most pressing needs this offseason. With the selection of running back Jeremiyah Love in the NFL Draft, the franchise signaled a clear intention to breathe new life into an offense that has been searching for a reliable, dynamic presence in the backfield.
Love arrives with the kind of reputation that turns heads. At Notre Dame, he built a following that extended well beyond South Bend, and Cardinals fans in the Valley wasted no time making him one of their own. The excitement around his arrival has been immediate and genuine, fueled by the belief that he has the tools to become a true playmaker at the next level.
Fans are already lining up for his jersey
Perhaps the clearest sign that a player has captured the public’s imagination is when fans rush to wear their name and number before a single regular season game has been played. That is exactly what is happening with Love in Arizona.
His jersey is not even officially available for purchase yet it is currently available for preorder but that has done little to slow the enthusiasm. For Love, seeing fans in his number is more than a commercial milestone. It represents a sense of belonging and acceptance that he takes seriously, viewing it as confirmation that his work and character are resonating with people beyond the football field.
His number has a story worth knowing
Love wears No. 4, and the choice was not made casually. Growing up, he favored No. 7 drawn to its reputation as a lucky number and its place in the biblical creation story. When he could not secure that number in high school, he made the switch to No. 4, and a new attachment was formed.
What makes the story richer is an unexpected cultural thread woven into his explanation. Love is a fan of anime, specifically the series The Seven Deadly Sins and its spin off, The Four Knights of the Apocalypse. The thematic connection between the two numbers seven and four gave the switch a meaning that stuck with him. It is the kind of personal detail that makes a player feel less like a transaction and more like a person.
He carried a loyal fanbase from South Bend
Love’s time at Notre Dame was not just productive on the field it built genuine loyalty among fans who watched him develop into one of the program’s standout offensive weapons. That fanbase, it turns out, did not simply stay in Indiana.
Cardinals fans are already noticing that Love’s arrival has brought an overlap of support from Notre Dame followers who have made the leap to rooting for Arizona, at least when Love is involved. For a franchise working to build momentum and community connection, that kind of organic cross pollination is a meaningful bonus.
He represents something bigger for the franchise
Beyond the highlights and jersey sales, the Cardinals are clearly hoping Love becomes a connector someone who brings energy to the locker room, resonates with younger fans, and helps the team build an identity around youth and ambition.
He steps into a situation where expectations are real but the runway is long. The Cardinals are not asking him to carry a franchise overnight. They are asking him to grow, contribute and inspire and based on everything that has unfolded since draft day, Love seems ready to embrace all of it.
His story is only just beginning in the desert.