Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky found himself at the center of controversy after a painfully awkward moment on the October 31 episode of ESPN’s long-running morning show, First Take. During a discussion on the show, Orlovsky turned to Stephen A. Smith and Jason McCourty and asked why “Black dudes smell better than White dudes,” a question that left everyone in the studio visibly uncomfortable and sparked backlash online.
The clip of the moment quickly went viral, with viewers cringing at Orlovsky’s attempt to address what he seemed to believe was an innocent cultural observation. As the segment unfolded, it became increasingly apparent that Orlovsky’s comment was poorly thought out, and his delivery only added to the discomfort.
The interaction began with Orlovsky placing his hands on Stephen A. Smith, as he struggled to get his words out. He stuttered and appeared visibly nervous, a telltale sign that he was unsure about what he was about to say. By leaning in and putting his arms on Smith, it seemed as if Orlovsky was attempting to use Smith as a shield, almost signaling, “Look, I’m close with Stephen A., so it’s okay for me to say this.”
Smith, however, was quick to distance himself, both literally and figuratively. He awkwardly danced away from Orlovsky, leaving him standing alone and exposed. As the moment unfolded, the tension in the room was palpable.
Analyst Mina Kimes’ expression turned into what some likened to the mascot of Warheads candy—a puckered face conveying discomfort and disbelief. Meanwhile, host Molly Qerim remained completely stone-faced, offering no verbal response and clearly wanting to avoid engaging in the awkward exchange.
The responsibility of filling the uncomfortable silence then fell on rookie analyst Jason McCourty, who made an attempt to steer the conversation away from Orlovsky’s awkward question. McCourty brought up a past comment Orlovsky had made about his showering habits, specifically mentioning that Orlovsky had once admitted to not showering as frequently during the summertime. It was an effort to deflect and lighten the mood, but the damage had already been done.
Social media erupted in response to the clip, with many fans and viewers taking issue with Orlovsky’s tone and choice of words. “Why did he put on a blaccent?” asked one Twitter user, referring to Orlovsky’s apparent attempt to imitate a stereotypical way of speaking.
The original poster echoed this sentiment, replying, “Was thinking the same thing, super weird.” Many users also pointed out the reactions of those on set, with Mina Kimes’ sour expression and Molly Qerim’s decision to remain silent serving as clear indicators of how uncomfortable everyone was.
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One football fan even commented, “I’ve said this so many times, but everything he does feels like an audition for a Jordan Peele movie,” referencing Orlovsky’s perceived awkwardness and lack of self-awareness. The former Detroit Lions quarterback, known for his infamous moment of running out of the back of his own team’s endzone for a safety, seemed to further cement his reputation for cringe-worthy moments.
Other comments were equally harsh, with one user stating, “Shoulda listened to his first instinct on this one,” while another added, “The man is unbelievably cringe.” The video of Orlovsky’s blunder quickly gained traction on social media, racking up over 1.9 million views on X (formerly Twitter) at the time of this writing.
One viewer, clearly puzzled by Orlovsky’s lack of awareness, wrote, “He’s the whitest man alive. Like, how did he not get a little culture in NFL locker rooms? And he eats like a child.” This sentiment seemed to reflect the broader disbelief that someone who had spent so much time in diverse NFL locker rooms could still lack the cultural awareness to avoid making such an awkward comment on national television.
Dan Orlovsky, now 41, has been with ESPN since 2017 and has risen to become one of the network’s top football analysts. He regularly appears on shows like NFL Live, First Take, SportsCenter, and Get Up, and also calls college football games.
Despite his success as an analyst, moments like these serve as a reminder of how easily a poorly chosen comment can overshadow years of hard work and expertise.
The incident has left many wondering how Orlovsky will move forward and whether he will address the backlash directly. For now, the viral moment stands as an example of how even the most well-intentioned comments can go horribly wrong, especially when they touch on sensitive cultural topics.
As Orlovsky continues his career at ESPN, it will be important for him to learn from this experience and approach such discussions with greater care and understanding.
