A man accused of posing as a San Francisco 49ers player and defrauding at least 26 women out of approximately $1.3 million employed tactics that veteran NFL players found unconvincing, according to interviews.
Daejon Love, 35, is alleged to have created a sophisticated illusion, maintaining romantic relationships with women primarily through dating apps since February 2022. He reportedly presented himself as a professional athlete and a wealthy investor, with an alleged accomplice, Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, posing as his financial adviser. Federal prosecutors believe there may be more victims.
Love's alleged charade included displaying 49ers merchandise, luxury vehicles, and fabricated investment opportunities, complete with FaceTime calls showcasing false financial gains. Some victims reportedly took out personal loans to fund these alleged investments. Authorities claim Love would cease contact when victims ran out of money or began questioning his story.
One of Love's signature, and reportedly unconvincing, tactics was carrying a replica 49ers helmet with him constantly. He brought it to restaurants, nightclubs, dealerships, and even barbershops, often placing it in his car's passenger seat. This detail, however, did not pass muster with experienced NFL figures.
Larry Fitzgerald, a Hall of Fame wide receiver, noted the improperly attached visor on the helmet as a giveaway. "The visor that wasn’t attached to the helmet was the one that made me bust up laughing. It was halfway on and halfway out," Fitzgerald told The California Post. "From an outsider, I’m like, ‘This is the fakest thing I’ve ever seen.'"
Matt Leinart, a former USC Heisman Trophy winner and ex-Arizona Cardinals teammate of Fitzgerald, also pointed to Love's public displays as uncharacteristic. "I saw the videos that were circulating. I think he was on the beach running routes in a helmet," Leinart said. "That’s not what an NFL dude looks like."
Other NFL players, like Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley and former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, have since posted humorous takes on the situation, replicating the beach workout with their helmets as a form of a "challenge."
Love also appeared in a 2024 video, purportedly signing an NFL contract and announcing his intention to join the "Niners." He allegedly operated under various aliases, including Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love, the same name as the current Green Bay Packers quarterback.
Fitzgerald acknowledged that such impersonations occur, but suggested that actual players might not always intervene. "It happens all the time. You see guys say they’re on the team or they’re playing, and you don’t care enough to say, ‘He’s not on the team.’ You just don’t care," he explained. He added that current 49ers players had noticed Love's fake Instagram profile but were perhaps amused rather than immediately suspicious. "So I can see where guys would find it funny, but nobody wants to blow up anybody’s spot."
Fitzgerald emphasized the distinction between the humor of the impersonation and the gravity of the alleged fraud. "To the untrained eye, I can see how he could probably get over on somebody. It’s not hilarious what happened to the women, obviously, but it’s just hilarious that somebody would pull a stunt like that."
Federal authorities arrested Love and Chan on August 24 at Boise Airport. Investigators stated Love had traveled through six states since July 15, with Idaho being his most recent destination to meet potential new victims. Love and Chan face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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