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It’s been over 2½ years since Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a game.
“Thoughts and Beans” rang on social media, but the former NFL -quarterback turned ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky would actually give them.
Dan Orlovsky before the Super Bowl between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Ariz. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Then he did the next day on live -tv.
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“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 just want to pray for Damar Hamlin right now. I want to make it out loud. I want to close my eyes and bend my head and I just want to pray for him,” said Orlovsky.
“God, we will come to you in these moments that we do not understand that are difficult because we think you are God, and to come to you and pray to you have influence. We are sad. We are angry. We want answers but some things are unanswered. We just want to pray, really come to you and pray for strength for Damar, to heal for Damar, for comfort for damar. Be with his family.”
Buffalo Bills fans have signs in support of Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin before a game between the bills and New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium 8. January 2023, in Orchard Park, New (Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Orlovsky admitted the “horrible advertising” podcast “, it was uncomfortable,” and he considered whether to do it, knowing that prayer is “not for everyone.”
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“Everyone continues to say ‘thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers, thoughts and prayers.’ And I thought to myself, ‘someone should actually pray for Damar – who actually pray for him – instead of saying thoughts and prayers.’ I started to have this feeling in my heart, ‘Ok, Dan, God tells you, go and beg for Damar.’ “
After walking back and forth with himself and his colleagues, he said that the prayer on TV and “99,999999999%” of the reaction was positive.
“Did I get an e email here and there or a text here and there from people who said it wasn’t for them, not their cup of tea? Of course I did,” said Orlovsky. “But overwhelmingly I think many people have just joined and it resonates with [them]”
Buffalo Bills players pray for teammate Damar Hamlin during the first half of a game against Cincinnati Bengals 2 January 2023 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Orlovsky also said he got an “overwhelming positive” reaction from his company.
“Again I had nothing negative [feedback] Or pushback or you know, a wrist slap or something from them about it, ”he said.
Hamlin was in the hospital for about a week and was able to fit Bills’ first match of the 2024 season, and he has been a pillar in their defense since then.
