Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
HERE COME THE FEELS â On Wednesday, Dan Orlovsky wasn't an ESPN analyst or the former quarterback who jokes that "end zones should be 11 yards."
He was a father.
Orlovsky became emotional during a special episode of ESPN's NFL Live when he introduced his son Madden.
In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, the studio replaced the show's traditional graphics with drawings by the 13 year old, who has autism.
It's a special edition of NFL Live today as @danorlovsky7's son, Madden, has his drawings on display throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day đ§©
â NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 2, 2025
Way to go, Madden! pic.twitter.com/VI958WTJfx
"His superpower is drawing," Orlovsky said, introducing a clip of Madden exploring the studio with all his drawings. "He's a special dude."
And the world soon would see that, too.
Orlovsky asked his son to show a drawing of a character from one of his favorite movies. Madden chose a picture of Woody from Toy Story, which prompted his dad to sing a line from Randy Newman's classic "You've Got a Friend in Me."
His son then picked up the tune.
Heartwarming: A special moment on yesterday's 'NFL Live' as 13-year-old Madden Orlovsky breaks into "You've Got a Friend in Me" while his proud father Dan watches on with tears in his eyes.
â Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 3, 2025
This was to honor Autism Awareness Day â€ïžđ„č pic.twitter.com/wKco6G2Abq
Madden first acted as if he was conducting a symphony as he sang the song, waving his hand through the air. Then he grabbed his markers, which were stacked together, and used them like a microphone as his teary-eyed father watched on.
"Cried a lot today â tears of being a proud dad," Orvolsky posted on social media, sharing a clip of the experience.
