Julian Love is haunted by a dual desire to honor his Cuban roots and the Seattle Seahawks, and he wants to make it a reality with a Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots on February 8.
The deep defensive end arrived in Seattle for the 2023 season and immediately became one of the darlings of ‘The 12s’ as the Seahawks’ fan base, one of the most loyal in the NFL, is known.
From draft pick to defensive cornerstone
Julian Love arrived in the league selected in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft by the New York Giants.
He shined for four seasons with the team until he was hired by Seattle.
His impact on the deep defense was immediate.
In consecutive seasons he surpassed 100 tackles; 123 in 2023, in which he was even selected to the Pro Bowl, and 109 in 2024, which boosted him as one of the defensive leaders.
He has been instrumental in setting the Seahawks up for their second Super Bowl.
Your Cuban past in a sandwich
Julian Love was born 27 years ago in Westchester, Illinois, but as soon as he arrived in Seattle his connection to Cuba came through a gut call.
Ivonne, his mother, kept the Caribbean heritage burning in Julian’s heart.
A flame that was fanned upon his arrival in the Emerald City, as Seattle is known for its lush greenery, where he found the restaurant Paseo, founded by his great-uncle Lorenzo Lorenzo.
Paseo is known for its long lines that go all the way out to the sidewalk, a common sight.
And it retains the prestige of the word of mouth that praises its Caribbean food and its roast pork sandwiches.
Julian Love found out and at his introductory press conference with the Seahawks blurted out:
“They should give me sponsorship on a sandwich,” a fitting identification for a defensive back who makes a habit of sandwiching opponents on the field with his relentless tackling.
A wall with a coconut heart
Julian Love’s numbers in the defensive secondary are elite throughout his 7-year career:
557 tackles, 46 passes defended, 13 interceptions, 2.5 catches, 6 forced fumbles and 4 recovered.
They are records that show the hardness of a coconut’s bark, although inside, its heart is pure softness.
Julian Love cares for children and youth in Chicago and Seattle who are in disadvantaged situations.
That’s why it supports him with scholarships, clothing, winter items and food, under an initiative called ‘Love’s Huddle’.
For these actions, this season he is nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes one player in the league each year for excellence and hard work on and off the field.
Between Lombardi’s dream and the legacy he wants to leave behind
They should give me a sandwich sponsorship
Julian Love
“Walter Payton was like a hero to me. Anything with his name on it is very special. It’s crazy.”
“My parents are going to cry. They’re going to be excited about this nomination,” Love said upon learning that he aspires to be recognized with the Hall of Fame inductee award.
Julian Love is on the verge of his childhood dream.
Winning the Lombardi Trophy, though his parents’ voice echoes in that advice about what really matters.
“My goal was to win Super Bowls. Luckily, my parents, when I was young they would tell me, ‘Try to make an impression on every kid, every person you meet.'”
“As I’ve gotten older, that’s more present. What is my legacy going to be? This is a pivotal moment,” said the coconut-hearted defensive back.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
