As a former NFL quarterback turned analyst, Orlovsky has faced his share of trials and tribulations. Yet despite the adversities, Orlovsky remains unyielding in his pursuit for accurate analysis and predictions.
Since joining ESPN, Orlovsky’s career has been an intriguing tale. From his strange food takes to personal hygiene practices, there’s no denying Orlovsky’s kinks.
Yet those very quirks also make him one of ESPN’s most interesting personalities to watch and follow.
“I love being right,” Orlovsky told GQ. “I mean, it’s a flaw. But that’s my game day—my victories are being right when other people aren’t. My victories are finding stuff. That’s my wins. I take a lot of pride in that too, I honestly do.”
“He loves being right,” his NFL Live co-host Mina Kimes agreed. “If he’s right about something and it’s proven correct three years later, he’ll text me about it at 5 a.m. It’s very funny.”
At the heart of Orlovsky’s persona, there’s a relentless quest to be right. This desire often translates into an overzealous preparation routine, depicted vividly in the recent GQ Sports feature.
Painted as an over-preparer by his wife, Tiffany, this obsession roots back to his time as a successful quarterback.
Tiffany Orlovsky describes her husband as a “psychopath with work”, alluding to his near-addiction to watching sports footage.
“I think being the most prepared and informed person is never a waste for me,” Orlovsky says. “I used to get mad, because my jaded mindset was like, ‘Everybody should watch the games like I do.’ No. That’s what makes me different. But Stephen A., that’s not his job. That’s also what allows for good conversation. I think that’s something that I’ve learned as well. Everyone has different roles, and none are more important than the other. They’re just different and that’s what makes a show.”
“It’s not fun all the time,” the former NFL quarterback admitted. “I had gotten to the point where I was like, ‘Yo, I don’t want to watch football.’ Because I had gone almost…I think I had two days off in like 111 days.”
Such dedication undoubtedly reflects his unmatched passion for the game. However, this obsession isn’t without its drawbacks, and the toll it takes on his personal life is open to speculation.
Just like any sports analyst, Orlovsky hasn’t always been spot on with his predictions. A notable misstep was when he declared Dak Prescott undeserving of a salary comparable to Carson Wentz.
Additionally, his quarterback rankings have often raised eyebrows, particularly when he placed Prescott 12th among the 14 playoff quarterbacks in the previous season.
Orlovsky’s selection of the top five quarterbacks of all-time also drew criticism for overlooking Joe Montana. Critics have argued that this exclusion points to a certain blindness in Orlovsky’s analytical approach.
Notwithstanding these instances, Orlovsky’s insights on NFL Live have been nothing short of insightful. His takes on First Take consistently captivate the audience.
His knack for divulging bizarre yet endearing information on podcasts has only elevated his appeal. As a result, he has carved out a niche for himself as one of ESPN’s most beloved on-screen talents.
“I think the reason people like him so much—this is going to sound corny, but fuck it—he’s a great teammate,” Kimes told GQ. “What makes him so rare is that he both treats everybody with respect but also pushes people to be better. He works so hard that everyone around him feels compelled to work at a similar level. He pushes me to be better, and then when we are better, he celebrates us more than anybody I’ve ever met in my life. I owe a lot of my career over the last couple of years to him, frankly.”
Orlovsky isn’t just a sports analyst. He’s a character in his own right, adored for his quirks, talents, and the sheer authenticity of his personality.
And it’s this authenticity that has made him one of ESPN’s most watched and favored sports analysts today.
