‘Special dude’ – Fans in tears as Dan Orlovsky gets visibly choked up discussing autistic son on unique NFL Live show
Wednesday's edition of ESPN's NFL Live was a special one in many ways.
In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, ESPN's daily NFL show ditched its usual graphics for new artwork and invited a very important guest on set.
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Analyst Dan Orlovsky's 13-year-old son, Madden, who has autism, was invited onto the Connecticut-based studio show which had been decorated with countless drawings he had made.
At the top of the show, former NFL quarterback Orlovsky credited NFL Live director Tim Farrell for coming up with the idea in honor of Autism Awareness Month, which runs through April 30.
Footage showed the youngster running around the studio excitedly and pointing out the drawings with his father.
Meanwhile, Orlovsky delivered a heartfelt message about his son, and got visibly choked up discussing his love for drawing.
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"I have an autistic son… and his superpower is drawing," Orlovsky said.
Orlovsky explained the new look of the studio and got emotional discussing Madden's reaction to seeing it for the first time.
"He loves art. He loves to draw animated characters…" he went on.
"This is like him in his truest form, like his favorite thing in the world is the draw, to create characters, to create animated characters… He is a special dude."
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Later in the show, Madden started singing You've Got a Friend in Me from the movie Toy Story while his proud father watched on with tears in his eyes.
NFL on ESPN shared the footage online and fans admitted they were in tears watching.
"Dammit! What is this salty discharge that is falling down my cheeks???" posted one fan.
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"What a great show I cried 3 times already," said another.
"Who’s cutting damn onions," a third wrote.
"How do you not love this?" a fourth added.
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ESPN's Laura Rutledge reposted the video with the caption: "One of the best days we've ever had on this show."
Madden is one-third of a set of male triplets Orlovsky and his wife Tiffany have.
The couple have two other 13-year-old boys, Hunter and Noah, as well as a daughter, nine-year-old Lennon.
“There's no game tape for parenting," Orlovsky, who is a regular on ESPN's First Take once said.
"Each child is so different, and parenthood has no end zone.”
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The 41-year-old former Detroit Lions quarterback has become a popular sports media member in recent years.
However, his current deal with ESPN expires this summer.
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According to Front Office Sports, ESPN wants to retain him, , potentially with Fox NFL Kickoff.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter also told Pat McAfee that Orlovsky has aspirations of becoming a head coach.
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