Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, Marriage and an Unbreakable Parent Bond

The University of Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is a strong contender for this year’s Heisman Trophy, the annual award for college football’s top player. The junior, who grew up in a tough neighborhood in St. Louis, is likely to be a first round NFL draft pick when the time comes.

Yet when thinking and talking about his future this past Saturday after the Irish demolished Syracuse 70-7, Love went where few players in his situation may go these days – marriage.

At the post-game press conference inside Notre Dame Stadium, Love was asked about how he gets along with teammate Eli Raridon. A senior, the 6’ 7” tight end is from Iowa and earned a starting role this fall after three years as a backup.

“I love Eli,” Jeremiyah said. “You know, he’s married and sets the standard outside of football. I want to get married in a couple of years or so.”

Eli Raridon married Anna Bernhard, his high school sweetheart, this past May.

Another reason Jeremiyah Love may be marriage-minded is because of the loving (no pun intended) union he saw growing up with his parents – Jason and L’Tyona Love.

Both St. Louis police officers, the Loves were careful and deliberate in protecting and shielding their son from the challenging culture that was all around them. Both are now retired.

“It’s going on outside, right on my street,” Jeremiyah told NBC. “It’s a bunch of bad stuff. My parents did a great job sheltering me away from all that.”

“We kept him always busy,” said Jason. “Tutors, activities, sports.”

With two busy working parents, though, Jeremiyah struggled with how infrequently he saw them at his games.

“It wasn’t until high school where I wrote a note to my mom, telling her, basically, that I wanted her to be there more,” he reflected.

“It was heartbreaking,” acknowledged L’Tyona. “I was ashamed, feeling like, hey, I had no idea that he felt like I wasn’t there. So I decided to make more room for that. It’s probably the most important letter I ever received.”

From that day forward, Jeremiyah’s mother made almost every game.

The star football player’s closeness to his mother and father continues to this day, including a pregame ritual that father and son do prior to kickoff.

“Jeremiyah was a shy kid, quiet, and not very confident,” says L’Tyona. “Jason saw something that Jeremiyah needed different.”

Since he was 6-years-old, before each game, Jeremiyah finds his father in the stands. His father grabs his son by the helmet and speaks affirming and encouraging words to him.

“When we share that moment with each other, it’s just me and him,” says the Notre Dame junior.

“When I see the look in his eye, I know that he’s there and he’s focused,” shared Jason. “Once I see the sparkle in his eyes, I know that he’s ready to go out there and make it happen.”

It’s long been understood that values and standards aren’t just taught – but also caught. That’s especially true when it comes to the atmosphere inside the home. Our children are watching. They’re absorbing what they see – and it influences how they think and dream about the future.

Culture is also important inside a football program. Eli Raridon is modeling for Jeremiyah and other teammates what a healthy and loving relationship can look like – and how wonderful marriage can be when you prayerfully seek out and marry the right person.

Image from Getty.