The San Francisco 49ers are already dealing with an unusually messy offseason. Brandon Aiyuk remains caught in a contract standoff, while owner Jed York got arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution.
The team also faced criticism for waiting more than two weeks to disclose Kyle Shanahan’s vehicle accident.
Now, another controversy has pulled the 49ers into an even stranger story, and fans were shocked by the incident.
NFL Reacts as a 35-YO Man Scammed $1.3M, Portrayed as a 49ers Player
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and his 18-year-old accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan face federal charges in Portland, Oregon. Prosecutors accuse the pair of running a multi-state romance and investment scam that allegedly took more than $1.3 million from 26 women.
According to unsealed federal court records from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, Love and Chan built their scheme around a carefully maintained web of false identities. The alleged operation ran from February 2022 until their arrests this week.
Once details spread across social media, people on social media quickly turned their attention to Love’s bizarre connection to the 49ers.
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Barstool’s Liam Bluntman shared a clip showing Love portraying a 49ers player and reacted to the allegations with disbelief. “This is one of the funniest stories I’ve ever read. This man is diabolical.”
This is one of the funniest stories I’ve ever read
This man is diabolical https://t.co/tM9qklBrnE pic.twitter.com/NDnPMvS9R6
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) August 28, 2026
‘Big Hollywood’ added, “He was on there doing good (expletive) 😂😂.”
One NBA coach wrote, “Absolutely pathetic that somebody would fake being a part of a professional sports organization for clout!”
Absolutely pathetic that somebody would fake being a part of a professional sports organization for clout! https://t.co/uvR9amIEvV
— Coach Lew (@CoachLewGrizz) August 27, 2026
Love allegedly presented himself as an undrafted wide receiver for the 49ers who had earned his way onto the roster. His Instagram account included an “NFL Journey” section with highlights titled “Free Agency,” “Year 1,” and “Super Bowl.”
He also posted videos wearing 49ers gear, holding what appeared to be an official helmet while driving, and posing with luxury vehicles, including a McLaren and a Lamborghini Urus.
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More voices soon joined the reaction, with former NFL linebacker Su’a Kristopher Cravens questioning how Love managed to maintain the alleged deception.
Cravens wrote, “I’m not tryna victim blame… but at what point do you do your own research and locate the official NFL website and access the real 53 man roster for your own records??? Did you ever try to FaceTime this man on Sundays ?! Ain’t no way 😂😂😂😂😂.”
I’m not tryna victim blame… but at what point do you do your own research and locate the official NFL website and access the real 53 man roster for your own records??? Did you ever try to FaceTime this man on Sundays ?! Ain’t no way 😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/HWhzSQ75z2
— Su’a Kristopher Cravens (@SuaKCravens) August 28, 2026
Love allegedly used technology to make his story appear legitimate. He showed victims Google AI Overviews that falsely identified him as an active NFL player. When questioned, he reportedly told them, “That’s Google, that’s not me.” He also pointed to a crooked finger and claimed an injury explained why they never saw him play.
However, The Athletic reporter Matt Barrows highlighted several obvious details that could have raised questions.
“Some things that are wrong: Players don’t bring their helmets home with them after practice. They don’t drive two cars to practice. The 49ers don’t practice in Oregon. They don’t weigh 155 pounds,” Barrows wrote.
Some things that are wrong:
* Players don’t bring their helmets home with them after practice * They don’t drive two cars to practice * The 49ers don’t practice in Oregon * They don’t weigh 155 pounds
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 27, 2026
Still, Love allegedly ended contact whenever victims became suspicious or pressed him for answers. That detail only added to the disbelief online.
The “Dudes on Dudes” podcast’s account shared a GIF which read: “I’m not even mad, that’s amazing.”
A Carolina Panthers podcaster summed up the reaction, writing, “Need the Netflix doc ASAP.”
Need the Netflix doc ASAP https://t.co/Avs7of0MqW
— Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) August 27, 2026
The whole scam came to light when the FBI tracked Love and Chan across multiple states, including New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah. On Aug. 24, 2026, authorities arrested both at Boise Airport, where Love had allegedly gone to meet new victims, and Chan had flown in from California to join him.
As per reports, the 49ers and the NFL confirmed to investigators that Love never had any affiliation with the organization.
