The scary cardiac emergency suffered by Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin has prompted an outpouring of support from the sports world and beyond.
On Wednesday, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky joined the ranks of well wishers by taking a somewhat unusual step -- of praying for Hamlin live on-air.
"Football gave me everything," Orlovsky said. "And I think in the midst of absolute tragedy last night, we saw some of the beauty of football as well -- that it's brought us all here together. This is a little bit different -- I've heard it all day, like 'Thoughts and prayers.' And you just heard Brandon Scherff and Jonathan Allen say that 'all we can do is pray for him,' and I heard the Buffalo Bills organization say that 'we believe in prayer.' And maybe this is not the right to do, but it's on my heart that I want to pray for Damar Hamlin right now. I'm going to do it out loud, I'm going to close my eyes, I'm going to bow my head, and I'm going to pray for him."
Orlovsky, 34, often cites religious scripture on social media. The former quarterback, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the Lions (two stints), Texans, Colts and Buccaneers, describes himself as a "follower of Jesus" in his Twitter profile.
Orlovsky's prayer was mostly well received on social media. Among the countless responses, many of them came from current and former players.
Several journalists also appreciated the gesture.
Hamlin, 24, remains in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
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