Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love hasn't played a single NFL snap, but he's already facing a wave of criticism for a flashy purchase that has fans questioning his priorities.
Love, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, was hailed as a can't-miss prospect after a stellar career at Notre Dame, where he racked up 2,882 rushing yards, 594 receiving yards, and 42 total touchdowns. But his recent gift to his girlfriend, Aliece, has raised eyebrows across the league.
According to a report from the New York Post, Love gifted Aliece a Lamborghini Urus, a luxury SUV that carries a price tag between $234,000 and $338,000. The news quickly spread on social media, where fans didn't hold back.
"Rookie mistake already," one commenter wrote. Another fan on X (formerly Twitter) lamented, "I wish there was someone to protect this kid from himself." A third chimed in, "Two months ago, I read where he was going to save his entire contract and live off his college NIL money."
The criticism stems from Love's earlier comments about his financial plans. After signing his rookie contract, Love told reporters, "I live in the era of NIL, so I'm pretty well off already. I really don't need to touch that money, as of right now. I most definitely will not." That statement now seems at odds with the lavish gift.
Despite the backlash, Love's focus remains on the field. He's set to make his preseason debut Thursday night against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur announced that starters will play, but not extensively. "They're going to play," LaFleur said. "How much? It's not going to be much. One drive, max of two for those main guys."
Love will have a chance to remind everyone why the Cardinals made him a top-three pick, but off-field decisions like this could linger. The wide receiver battle in Arizona is already heating up, and Love's spending habits have become an unexpected storyline.
It's worth noting that Love isn't the first rookie to splurge, but his earlier vow to live frugally makes this particular purchase stand out. As he prepares for his debut, he'll hope his performance on the gridiron overshadows the headlines about his girlfriend's new ride. For now, fans are left wondering if this is a sign of things to come or just a one-time indulgence.
