Dan Orlovsky has become one of the most familiar voices of the 2026 NFL season, spending his weeks at ESPN breaking down quarterbacks and weighing which contenders are for real.
Long before the studio work, the former UConn quarterback lived the game from the inside as a journeyman, putting together 12 seasons after the Detroit Lions took him in the fifth round of the 2005 draft.
His career carried him through the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he landed back with the Detroit Lions, and over 26 games and 12 starts he threw for 3,132 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Thursday is usually when the analyst is deep in film and debate, which is why his latest message stood out as Week 6 got underway. The longtime broadcaster stepped away from football talk entirely and spoke to his followers about something far more personal.
In a post on X, the 12-year veteran revealed that his brother-in-law, Fed, died unexpectedly over the weekend, leaving behind his sister and their three sons. No cause of death was disclosed.
Describing what the family now faces, he wrote: “This weekend, our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. My brother-in-law, Fed, passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind my sister and their three amazing boys.”
“There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing a husband, a partner, and a father so suddenly,” Dan added. “In the midst of trying to process this devastating loss, my sister is now facing the overwhelming reality of navigating life as a solo parent and a single-income household, all while helping her boys cope with the loss of their dad.”
The former quarterback also shared a GoFundMe for his sister and nephews, saying a gift of any size would lighten the load and give them space to grieve.
