’Never seen anything like this’: Live TV moment stuns America

Social media erupted with comments like “I’ve never seen anything like this” after a football analyst took a bold step on live TV.

ESPN football analyst and former NFL player Dan Orlovsky surprised and delighted sports viewers by leading a brief prayer session live on-air Tuesday on behalf of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

Orlovsky initiated the moment on NFL Live after coverage of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during the Monday Night Football game. Because Hamlin still remains in critical condition, Orlovsky called for additional prayers for the football player.

“I heard the Buffalo Bills organisation say that we believe in prayer, and maybe this is not the right thing to do, but it’s just on my heart and I want to pray for Damar Hamlin right now,” Orlovsky began.

“I’m going to do it out loud, I’m going to close my eyes and bow my head, and I’m just going to pray for him.”

Dan Orlovsky took “thoughts and prayers” a step further. Picture: ESPN

As colleagues Laura Rutledge and Marc Spears joined him, Orlovsky continued.

“God, we come to you in these moments that we don’t understand, that are hard because we believe that you’re God and coming to you and praying to you has impact. We’re sad. We’re angry. We want answers, but some things are unanswerable. We just want to pray, truly come to you and pray for strength for Damar, for healing for Damar, for comfort for Damar. Be with his family to give him the peace,” he prayed.

“If we didn’t believe that prayer didn’t work, we wouldn’t ask this of you, God. I believe in prayer. We believe in prayer. We lift up Damar Hamlin’s name in Your name. Amen.”

Several sports fans and commentators commended Orlovsky’s live prayer for Hamlin on Twitter.

“This is amazing,” his ESPN colleague Ashley Brewer tweeted. “I teared up watching this in my living room today. Proud to call you my teammate & brother in Christ.”

Laura Rutledge and Marc Spears joined Dan Orlovsky in bowing their heads and closing their eyes. Picture: ESPN

“Dan Orlovsky didn’t just send off a ‘praying for Damar Hamlin’ tweet. He paused during NFL Live, bowed his head, and prayed. Powerful, brave, and genuine,” Outkick sportswriter Mark Harris wrote.

“This is as powerful as it gets. Praying on national TV probably wasn’t an easy thing to do … but @danorlovsky7 did exactly that. Let’s all follow his example and keep praying for Hamlin,” ClutchPoints writer Joey Mistretta agreed.

Faith on the Field host Rob Maaddi wrote, “Proud of you, bro. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them’.”

ESPN’s @danorlovsky7 praying for Damar Hamlin on NFL LIVE. Beautiful words of empathy, hope and love.#PrayForDamarHamlinpic.twitter.com/aQ54x3WwLm

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 3, 2023

Entrepreneur Joe Pompliano tweeted, “Shoutout to Dan Orlovsky for not just saying thoughts & prayers but actually stopping NFL Live to bow his head, close his eyes, and pray for Damar Hamlin. Kudos to you, @danorlovsky7.”

“I have never seen anything like this before. Dan Orlovsky just prayed for Damar Hamlin live on @espn moments ago. See below. ‘So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.’ -Psalm 90:12 @danorlovsky7,” professor Denny Burk remarked.

This article was originally published by Fox News and reproduced with permission

Originally published as ’Never seen anything like this’: Live TV moment stuns America