Jordan Love says proposing to Ronika Stone was more stressful than playing at Lambeau Field in NBC interview before Packers' game vs Eagles
There was a lot of pressure on Jordan Love in his first season starting at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
He was replacing Aaron Rodgers and was trusted with leading the franchise after three years as the backup. But to him, that was nothing compared to the pressure-cooker this summer in Italy: Getting his proposal to longtime girlfriend Ronika Stone perfect.
But like his play during the season, the proposal — even through some nerves — couldn't have gone any better.
In an interview ahead of the Packers' season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Love sat down for an interview with NBC Sports reporter Maria Taylor, who asked which event is more nerve-racking: playing at Lambeau Field or proposing to Stone?
"I’d say proposing to her," Love said with a smile. "That was intense. Now, I’m ready for the season. I’m ready."
Love was surprised by Stone midway through the engaging interview that was overlooking Lambeau Field. Parts of the interview will be featured during the pregame show Friday night on Peacock.
Here's more on Love, Stone and his epic proposal.
How did Jordan Love and Ronika Stone meet?
Love's and Stone's relationship began by chance through a series of FaceTimes that weren't even intended for each other.
Love happened to room with one of Stone's best guy friends from high school, Mo Walker, at Utah State. Love and Walker were teammates for the Aggies football team.
Stone, meanwhile, was in Eugene, Oregon, playing Division I volleyball for the Ducks. She would often call her old friend to catch up. Love was right there in the background. The two caught each other's eyes.
"It started out slow," Love recalled. "I took the phone, and we started having our one-on-one conversations."
Jordan Love and Ronika Stone relationship: Packers quarterback moved fast
The conversations finally turned into a meet-up.
Love was training back home in Bakersfield, California, and Stone was also in the state, though about an hour away, for a birthday party.
The two connected and as Love says "the rest is history."
In fact, Love knew right away what he had with Stone was special.
"Ten days," Love said on not wasting any time before asking Stone to be his girlfriend. "I was moving fast. That's how you know because I never move that fast."
At first, Stone wasn't sure if Love was going to come to that party. She thought, "he's not going to drive an hour, but he did."
And Love passed another important benchmark: being truthful about his height. Stone, a professional volleyball player, stands 6-feet-2. In the past, Stone said she would get guys lying about their height. Love is 6-feet-4.
"I told him he better not be catfishing me," Stone said about his height. But "he passed the height check."
Jordan Love's work ethnic motivates Ronika Stone
Love and Stone have been together for four years. That means Stone has seen the growth in Love from a backup quarterback to now the highest paid player in NFL history.
"I used to go to games, be sitting down there freezing on the bleachers (pointing inside Lambeau Field) and just watching to see if he would turn around on the bench because he's not playing any time to catch his eye," Stone said.
Then there was Love's first start in 2021 when Rodgers was out with COVID-19. The world met Stone, who was sitting in the last row at Arrowhead Stadium with Love's mom. "It wasn't as bad as everyone says," Stone reiterates.
Stone has been a fierce defender of Love on social media and isn't afraid to call out the critics during the ups and downs.
But now Love is the unquestioned leader. "To now see him running out and taking over the team, it's been incredible and being there in the offseason watching him put in the work, like really putting his head down and grinding it's remarkable to see. Makes me want to work harder in my sport."
Stone, who had an All-American college career at Oregon before playing overseas, was part of the successful launch of the Pro Volleyball Federation in the U.S. in 2024.
She led her team, the San Diego Mojo, to the playoffs in its inaugural season.
Jordan Love's proposal to Ronika Stone
About a month after Stone's season ended, the couple took a vacation to Florence, Italy. Museums. Fine dining. Immaculate sights. It was the perfect setting for a dream proposal.
Love proposed in Tuscany in the province of Siena at Castello di Celsa, a castle built in the 13th century that provides stunning views. Love worked with a wedding planner on all the details.
"I was nervous about what I was going to say. Just going to free style," Love said. "It was awesome. It was a moment I’ll never forget."
Love said being in the right spot for the proposal and hiding the ring were the biggest obstacles. But when Love brought along his cross-body bag and told Stone that they were traveling an hour for dinner Stone began to suspect a proposal might be coming her way.
It didn't change her emotions.
"When it happened .... I was crying," Stone remembered.
The couple then had a tour of the castle and a candlelight dinner at the top.
"He did his thing," Stone said in approval.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jordan Love details proposal, relationship with fiance?e Ronika Stone
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