Soccer followers doubtless bear in mind Dan Orlovsky as a little bit of a meme. The previous quarterback performed 11 seasons within the NFL with 4 totally different groups, however most followers recall him for a play during which he unintentionally ran out of the again of the tip zone throughout a sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings, costing the Detroit Lions a security.
Ex-Lions QB Dan Orlovsky Has Change into a Media Star After NFL Profession
Orlovsky spent the primary 4 seasons of his profession with the Lions. He performed two video games as a rookie and 10 video games in 2008 — the yr Detroit famously went 0-16.
That season, Orlovsky began seven video games, throwing for 1,616 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Following the winless yr, he left Detroit and signed with the Houston Texans in 2009, the place he spent two seasons however appeared in only one sport.
In 2011, Orlovsky joined the Indianapolis Colts and noticed extra enjoying time. He appeared in eight video games and began 5, incomes his first profession win as a starter. He threw for simply over 1,200 yards, six touchdowns, and 4 interceptions whereas finishing 63.2% of his passes. He completed 2-3 as a starter throughout that stint.
Orlovsky later performed three video games over two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier than returning to Detroit in 2014 to again up Matthew Stafford. He appeared in two extra video games — each in 2015 — earlier than signing with the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams launched him in 2017, and Orlovsky retired shortly after.
Since retiring, Orlovsky has turn into a breakout persona in sports activities media. He joined ESPN in 2018 as an NFL and school soccer analyst and, in 2022, turned a part of the community’s No. 2 NFL broadcasting crew alongside Steve Levy and Louis Riddick Jr.
Whereas followers now know Orlovsky for his passionate takes — particularly on the Lions — he stepped away from soccer speak on Wednesday to share a heartfelt second together with his son, Madden, on World Autism Consciousness Day.
Orlovsky Will get Emotional in Healthful Second With His Son
Orlovsky appeared on NFL Reside on Wednesday, the place a panelist famous the studio’s totally different look. Various drawings adorned the screens—art work created by Orlovsky’s son, Madden, who has autism.
“His superpower is drawing. He loves artwork, he loves to attract animation characters. The artwork of (the studio) is adorned all by Madden. It’s all his drawings,” Orlovsky mentioned, as ESPN aired footage of Madden reacting to seeing his work displayed.
“That is like him in his truest type. His favourite factor on the earth is to attract, to create characters, to create animated characters. A few of them are in all probability from a month in the past, a few of them are in all probability from three, 4, 5 years in the past. It’s his superpower, it’s his favourite factor to do. He’s extremely proficient at it,” Orlovsky mentioned.
It is a particular version of NFL Reside at the moment as @danorlovsky7’s son, Madden, has his drawings on show all through the studio to honor World Autism Consciousness Day 🧩
Solution to go, Madden! pic.twitter.com/VI958WTJfx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 2, 2025
It was a particular second between father and son — and an aesthetic transfer by ESPN to highlight Madden’s ardour. It’s the sort of second neither of them is more likely to overlook.
