While much of the sports world focuses on playoff brackets and injury reports, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is quietly writing a different kind of story—one that has nothing to do with touchdowns and everything to do with the people who need warmth during Wisconsin’s brutal winter months.

Despite battling through a challenging season marked by a concussion that sidelined him for three games and the devastating ACL injury to teammate Micah Parsons, Love hasn’t let the on-field struggles slow down his commitment to the community. In fact, he’s doubled down on it.

Just weeks ago, as temperatures in Green Bay plummeted below freezing, Love stood outside Better Days Mentoring alongside backup quarterback Malik Willis, handing out winter coats to families waiting in long lines that stretched around the building. The scene was striking: Over 150 people stood patiently in the cold, with another 90 cars lined up, all hoping to receive one of the 1,100 coats Love’s Hands of 10ve Foundation had purchased for the event.

That’s nearly 400 more coats than the previous year’s donation of 750—a staggering increase that speaks volumes about Love’s growing dedication to making sure no child in Green Bay faces winter without proper protection from the elements.

“To be able to give back to the community, the people who support us, fans of the team that come out and watch us play every Sunday,” Love said that day, his breath visible in the frigid air. “To be able to give back to the community is very important.”

But Love’s impact extends far beyond coat drives. Since launching Hands of 10ve in May 2024, the 26-year-old quarterback has been on a mission to address issues close to his heart: youth sports access, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and building bridges between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Through his innovative “10ve for Cleats” initiative, Love donates cleats to an entire youth sports team for every touchdown he scores during the season. In just its first year, the program has already distributed more than 1,300 pairs of cleats to 26 Wisconsin teams, ensuring that financial barriers don’t keep talented young athletes off the field. The program is now expanding to include his hometown of Bakersfield, California.

The numbers tell a powerful story: Love has participated in fundraising for the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay, Rawhide Youth Services, and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. He’s sponsored community walks in Brown County and Kern County to raise awareness for suicide prevention—a cause deeply personal to him. Perhaps most remarkably, Love visited the Kern County Youth Detention Center in April, speaking to at-risk youth about making positive choices and surprising each attendee with a $20,000 scholarship toward trade school or college.

These efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Love was recently named the Packers’ nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award—the NFL’s highest honor recognizing players who excel both on the field and in their communities. The award, established in 1970 and renamed in 1999 after the legendary Chicago Bears running back, carries significant weight: the winner receives up to $250,000 for their chosen charity, while all 32 club winners receive up to $40,000.

“It’s been a privilege to watch him grow as a leader during his time with the Packers, both in the locker room and in the community,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. “We are honored to have Jordan represent the Green Bay Packers, on and off the field.”

Head coach Matt LaFleur echoed that sentiment, calling Love “a tremendous human being” who was “raised the right way.” LaFleur has watched Love’s transformation from a young backup sitting behind Aaron Rodgers to a franchise quarterback who understands what it means to carry the weight of an entire community on his shoulders.

Now, as Love prepares for the playoffs despite the physical toll of a grueling season, Packers fans have a chance to support his mission. Through the Nationwide Charity Challenge, fans can vote for Love to win additional funding for Hands of 10ve by posting #WPMOYChallenge with his name on social media or voting directly at NFL.com/ManOfTheYear. The player whose nonprofit receives the most votes will earn an additional $35,000 donation.

In a league often dominated by headlines about contracts, controversies, and championships, Jordan Love is proving that true greatness is measured not just by what you accomplish on Sundays, but by what you do for others when the cameras aren’t watching. This winter, as Wisconsin families bundle up in coats provided by his foundation, they’re reminded that their quarterback is more than just #10 on the field—he’s truly #1 in their hearts.