NEED TO KNOWJeremiyah Love confirms he'll be continuing the sentimental pregame tradition he created with his father when he was just 6 years old
Love tells PEOPLE his dad "wants me to be the best version of myself" and "reminds me of who I am every game, every day"
The Arizona Cardinals selected Love third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23
Jeremiyah Love is bringing a very special tradition with him to the NFL.
Just before the Arizona Cardinals selected the 20-year-old running back out of Notre Dame with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, Love confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE that he'll be continuing the sentimental tradition he began with his father, Jason, when he was just 6 years old.
"The tradition is, basically, my dad gets me before every game, grabs me by my helmet, just encouraging me to be me, be authentically me, go out there and do what I gotta do," Love said Thursday from the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, adding his father "wants me to be the best version of myself," and "reminds me of who I am every game, every day."
"That tradition is going to continue into the NFL," Love vowed.
Jason and his wife, L'Tyona, as well as Love's six siblings, were present when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called the rookie's name on Thursday. Love said his girlfriend, who simply goes by "uniquealiece" on Instagram, and his "best friend, coaches and agents" joined him at the draft as well.
Love's girlfriend shared a photo from draft night on Instagram and wrote: "I'm so extremely proud of you babe, I can't wait to watch you absolutely dominate in the NFL."
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Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman celebrated his former star's selection on Thursday, writing on Instagram, "We are so proud of you @jeremiyahlove!! Arizona is getting a generational talent."
Love touched down in Arizona on Friday, April 24, with his girlfriend and parents by his side. "Officially in AZ ‼️" the Cardinals wrote in a post showing Love in front of an airplane.
The Cardinals are certainly ready to roll this season with their new toy on offense.
"He's just an impressive kid," Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said, according to the team's website. "... In the end, we felt like we added the guy we felt could impact our team the most."