For PR reasons, most players will say they "love the game". A local aquaintence of mine that played in the league (13 years, for 6 teams, in 160+ games) told me two truths about NFL players.
Almost every one in the league uses THC, at least during the offseason. And that not many players like the sport and very few love it. Understandable... How many of us love our job? $$$