Quarterback Jordan Love and linebacker Krys Barnes played together at Liberty High School, in Bakersfield, California. So when they reunited for the Green Bay Packers as rookies in 2020, it was special. On Sunday, though, they were on opposite sides. Barnes now plays for the Arizona Cardinals, and the close friend had a couple of intriguing plays during the Packers win.
It included an unnecessary roughness penalty on Barnes during a Love scramble, and also the quarterback blocking for running back Emanuel Wilson on a run play.
“I do get bragging rights over him,” Love said, jokingly. “I picked up a block on him too, so I definitely get bragging rights over him. That’s my brother, though, that boy.”
Jordan Love knows the situation can get more explosive during a game, but his relationship with Barnes is strong.
Jayden Reed from the slot vs a LB is easy money. The LB was former Packer Krys Barnes, Jordan Love’s high school teammate. pic.twitter.com/7wt8DA7hPu
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 13, 2024
“We’re on opposite sides, so we just focus on doing our job and what we control,” Love added. “Just kinda focused on the game.”
Love admitted that the unnecessary roughness wasn’t a huge hit, but Barnes put himself in an unfavorable position.
“I’m sure he’s probably mad about that one,” Love mentioned. “It didn’t look pretty bad on the replay. I knew he’s a competitor, we were competing. I mean, he’s gotta be smarter there.”
Jordan Love had the best game of the season so far, completing 22 of 32 passes for 258 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. The Packers improved to 4-2 in the regular season — they are still fourth in the NFC North, though.
“I felt I was back running my normal self,” Love highlighted. “It definitely felt good out there, it was a clean day.”
Meanwhile, Krys Barnes had a decent game, leading the Cardinals with eight tackles. However, the loss moved the Arizona Cardinals down to 2-4, third place in the NFC West.