Side of the Bed: Amazing Ride Nears End for 'First Brother' Reggie Love

Reggie Love walked into his windowless office late last week and surveyed the confines. It wasn't exactly an ideal place to work, especially for someone standing 6 feet, 5 inches. A burgundy couch, desk and cabinet took up much of the floor, leaving little room to maneuver. "The space is small," Love said. "But the real estate is valuable."

Nearly every day, Love takes a right turn out of his office, walks a few steps and opens a door to the most famous office in the world: the Oval Office. Whatever President Obama happens to need once inside, from a copy of a speech to a newspaper, Love gets for him. As the president's personal assistant – a job known as a body man – Love also keeps him on schedule, often deciding who gets the president's ear.

Reggie and the President

The president blocks the onetime Duke forward in full Blue Devils' trim Sept. 23, 2009 in New York City. "Well look, I mean, Reggie is 20 years younger than me so there is no doubt that I have to have Reggie on my team," Obama said. "I cannot be guarding Reggie. ... Reggie is the best athlete that I know."

Reggie Love, right, tries to block Illinois-Chicago's Jovan Stefanove Dec. 14, 2004 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. Love played on Duke's 2001 national championship squad and captained the team in 2005. After not making the team for the Packers and then the Cowboys, Love found himself at a crossroads.

Reggie Love walks across the South Lawn of the White House to Marine One Sept. 12, 2009. Love, a two-sport star in basketball and football, earned a scholarship in 2000 to Duke as a wide receiver and after graduation, signed as a free agent with Packers. He was cut in the preseason though

President Obama shows Reggie Love some love on Oct. 20, 2008. Love is called a "body man," an aide who travels with the president and presidential candidate everywhere. The two men have bonded over basketball -- his Secret Service code name is "Rebound" -- and music and card games.

Reggie Love is flanked by chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and senior advisor Valerie Jarrett June 4, 2009 in Egypt. He was considering a job with Goldman Sachs when his resume ended up in Obama's office. Love rose through the ranks quickly, from staff assistant in the freshman senator's mailroom to his personal aide

President Obama walks into the Oval Office at the White House Jan. 21, 2009, for his first full day in office. Love seems to do it all. When John Edwards decided to drop out of the presidential race, his staff contacted Love first. When actress Scarlett Johansson wanted to throw her support to Obama, she emailed Love. But his duties weren't always glamorous.

Reggie Love and White House physician Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman check their notes as they travel in the presidential motorcade April 4, 2009 in Strasbourg, France.On the 2008 campaign trail, Love and Obama played basketball together every day. 'Reggie is the best athlete that I know," Obama said.

In addition to managing the president's schedule, Love pursued a master's in business administration from the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, taking multitasking to new heights. He said that it was hard to be a regular guy with a social life. "It definitely makes for interesting conversation when you meet someone and they're like, 'What do you do?'" he said.

Reggie Love, President Obama and White House staffers including press secretary Robert Gibbs, top center, look at a computer aboard Air Force One June 5, 2009. "Reggie has got a wonderful temperament," Obama said. "He's not somebody who gets flustered. He's got a great sense of humor. People like being around him and so he is easy company."

Love and the Obamas enjoy a light moment as they wait backstage before their grand entrance to one of 10 inaugural balls Jan. 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Love anticipates the president's needs behind the scenes and rarely speaks in public settings. "Reggie is with me all the time," Obama said. "He is the person who keeps me on schedule."

Reggie Love peeks at the crowd from backstage before Obama speaks at a Democratic fundraiser in Miami Oct. 26, 2009. "I am an extra set of hands if he ever needs," Love said of Obama. "It is kind of like a level of buffer. He doesn't have to worry about as much. ... Anything I can do to make life just a little bit easier is, you know, part of my job."