ESPN NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky Issued Apology Tuesday Morning
01/21/2025 03:09 PM
Dan Orlovsky is a fierce defender of the NFL's quarterbacks. And after coming to the defense of Lamar Jackson following the Ravens' loss to the Bills over the weekend, the ESPN analyst has decided to issue an apology.
The former Lions QB referred to those placing the blame on Baltimore's two-time MVP as "losers" on Sunday night. While also lumping Mark Andrews' detractors into the same bucket.
"If you put the loss on Lamar tonight, respectfully, you're a loser," Orlovsky claimed on X. "Mark Andrews is one of the all time ravens—he had a brutal drop and fumble yes. If you're gonna use that to trash him, respectfully, you're a loser."
If you put the loss on Lamar tonight, respectfully, you're a loser
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 20, 2025
Mark Andrews is one of the all time ravens—he had a brutal drop and fumble yes. If you're gonna use that to trash him, respectfully, you're a loser.
That led to Dan feeling remorseful on Tuesday's "First Take" and he attempted to clear the air.
"I probably shouldn't have said 'loser' there in that tweet," he admitted. "I was in the moment, in the game, so I apologize for that. I shouldn't do that and call people that. My reference to Mark [Andrews] wasn't about, like, yes, we were very critical. Obviously, that drop — I was watching people just attack him, the person, and drag him the person, and trash him the person. That's why I said that about Mark. Of course, we have eyeballs. Those plays matter."
"I've done this when I was younger in the business, as well," Orlovsky added. "We can go on the next day and be critical of the person — and not celebrate the failure. I have done that years ago, and I didn't want to be apart of that. And I didn't want the media to be a part of that."
The ESPN personality went on to say that it's his job to be critical even when it's hard and that he felt awful for Lamar watching him make the same mistakes in the playoffs.
"Having talked with him, you know how much he wants it. Like, you know how much winning the Super Bowl matters to him, both for his career, for his legacy, the way we talk about him," Orlovsky explained. "So, when you see him make those mistakes in the playoffs again, it rips at you and be like, 'God bless Lamar.' I wish you didn't have that fumble because, then, we are having a different conversation."
Unfortunately it's another postseason disappointment for Jackson and the Ravens, while the Bills move on to face the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Related: ESPN's Computer Changes Super Bowl 59 Pick After Divisional Weekend
