ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said a prayer while broadcasting live for an NFL player who collapsed during a game.
During a broadcast of “NFL Live,” Orlovsky said, “I heard the Buffalo Bills organization 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.”
He added, “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. 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.”
Orlovsky continued, “We’re sad, we’re angry, and 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, to be with his family, to give them peace. If we didn’t believe that prayer didn’t work, we wouldn’t ask this of you, God.”
Concluding his prayer, the analyst said, “I believe in prayer, we believe in prayer. We lift up Damar Hamlin’s name in your name. Amen.”
Watch the video below:
ESPN’s @danorlovsky7 praying for Damar Hamlin on NFL LIVE. Beautiful words of empathy, hope and love.#PrayForDamarHamlin pic.twitter.com/aQ54x3WwLm
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 3, 2023
Orlovsky received significant praise from Twitter users for his prayer.
Pastor Greg Laurie tweeted, “We need more of this in our nation today. We’ll done.”
We need more of this in our nation today. We’ll done, @danorlovsky7 https://t.co/LhWYA6KhvP
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) January 4, 2023
One user wrote, “An actual prayer being said on live television on ESPN might be the most positive thing to come out of this whole terrible awful situation.”
An actual prayer being said on live television on ESPN might be the most positive thing to come out of this whole terrible awful situation. #PrayForDamarHamlin https://t.co/WjeBB9zfNh
— Joel Hemingway (@joelthemingway) January 4, 2023
NFL player Dalton Risner added, “So great to see. God is on the Move. Never underestimate the power of prayer.”
So great to see. God is on the Move. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Love & prayers for @HamlinIsland https://t.co/YJOGlCByCY
— Dalton Risner (@Dalton_Risner66) January 4, 2023
See more responses below:
This is awesome! Praying for Hamlin on air. https://t.co/z81T0Vv18G
— Terri Green (@TerriGreenUSA) January 4, 2023
This is amazing. @danorlovsky7 Praying for Damar and his family. https://t.co/CigzbiyB11
— JD Pardo (@JDPardo) January 4, 2023
A lot people talk about God, but don't show his love and grace. Hats off to @danorlovsky7 for showing both. He's faith in God was on display for the world to see. We need more of this from those who have a bigger platform!!!! ? for Damar Hamlin! https://t.co/sIVhnhxXBb
— Brandon Dunn (@BDunnsports) January 4, 2023
Prayer Is Powerful https://t.co/3WLnfsseUR
— Josiah Deguara (@JosiahD5) January 4, 2023
THIS is awesome. So much respect and admiration for Dan for having the boldness to do this on-air, glorifying God and lifting up someone in need.
— Matt Koll (@MKoll15) January 4, 2023
Continuing to pray for Damar and the Hamlin family… https://t.co/kFzcZhyhzx
This is amazing. This took a lot of heart and guts. Dan Orlovsky is a great dude and this is so inspiring to me to see him do this on TV. The Lord is in control. Still praying for Damar Hamlin’s health. https://t.co/ICelVGqNe4
— Max Preston (@MaxPrestonTV) January 4, 2023
During a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, the Buffalo Bills’ Hamlin collapsed on the field after making a tackle.
In case you missed it:
BREAKING: Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapses on field after making tackle LIVE on Monday Night Football and received CPR #hamlin pic.twitter.com/PDpQKIWERk
— Matthew Miller Skow (@SkowMatthew) January 3, 2023
Officials for the Bills reported Hamlin suffered from a cardiac arrest, CBS News reported.
Hamlin’s uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told reporters outside the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Tuesday night that his nephew’s heart stopped twice, according to the outlet.
CBS News noted Glenn said Hamlin’s heart stopped once on the field and then at the hospital.
Hamlin has lung damage and is unable to breathe on his own, his uncle reportedly explained.
He remained in the intensive care unit on Tuesday in critical condition.
