Q+A with NFL Quarterback Dan Orlovsky

Dan Orlovsky is a quarterback on the Detroit Lions. He just finished his 11th NFL season as Matthew Stafford's backup. Dan was selected in the 5th round of the 2005 NFL Draft by Detroit. He played 4 seasons in the Motor City from 2005-2008, two seasons with the Texans (2009-2010), one with the Colts in 2011, two more seasons with the Buccaneers (2012-2013) before returning to the Lions in 2014.Dan also had a decorated college career at the University of Connecticut (2001-2004), setting numerous passing records that still stand today.A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Dan at the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp in Mt Laurel, NJ. Dan and I didn't get a ton of time to work together, but we did have a nice chat and through social media, have been able to stay in touch fairly regularly.Upon completing his 11th NFL season, Dan was gracious enough to answer a few questions about his football career, his faith in Christ, and his family.Me: What was your life like growing up in Shelton, CT?Dan: Shelton was a great place to grow up. It was a town full of people who kind of had the "lunch pail mentality." It was a very hard-working community, that really loved its sports. It was and still is a town full of rich tradition and I'm really proud to be from there. The town and its people shaped the person I am today.Me: How did you balance the life of a high school kid trying to navigate through your teen years, with the success you were having as a high school QB?Dan: I wish I could tell you I handled being a teen, and all that comes with it, and success on the athletic field impeccably, but I didn't. I was a good kid, hard working, and well mannered. But I also thought more highly of myself because of football, and thought that I was better than maybe some of my peers because of it as well. I thought I could get away with it more than someone else. I quickly learned that wasn't the case, which truly was a huge moment for me in my life, not only as a boy becoming a man, but also an athlete.Me: When you got to UCONN, what was that transition like going from the big time high school star to freshman backup?Dan: I went to UCONN with the mindset I was going to start and start very early. No one was going to tell me otherwise. And while I didn't start the first game of my freshman year, I think within the first 2-3 games of the year I became the starter. That was one of the main reasons I went there, and it happened so quickly, it was a good thing because my mind never was afforded the time or the chance to wander into thoughts of failure. The transition was difficult playing wise, but playing that early was one of the reasons I went there, I was ready for it.Me: Who was your biggest mentor in football during your high school and college years?Dan: I cant tell you I had this great mentor during high school or college. My father instilled in me a one-of-a-kind work ethic, and some of my older high school teammates I looked up to. Randy Edsall was my college Head Coach at UCONN, and he was a no joke, shoot you straight, incredibly demanding coach, and I think that was something that shaped me even though in that moment I was unaware of it.Me: What was that moment in college when you realized God may have an NFL career prepared for your future?Dan: Right about the back end of my sophomore year is when I felt I had a real chance to go to the NFL and play. I didn't know what that meant or what that would look like, but I knew I could play. I wish in that moment I wasn't so full of myself, and had a stronger relationship with God to give Him greater thanks in that time, but I was young and still consumed with myself.Me: When did your walk with Christ begin?Dan: I grew up in the traditional church, but my walk with Christ began Sept 23, 2006. It was a Saturday night in chapel, the night before a game we played at home in Detroit against Green  Bay. I had been on a journey of education and question asking about faith for about a year, but that night in chapel is when my walk, my relationship truly began.Me: How did that night and the decision to put your faith in Jesus change you both as a football player and as a person?Dan: I actually just led one of our Saturday night chapels during the season on this. As a player it changed me and changed me for the worse. When I got saved I kept hearing the words "humble" and "humility" associated with being a Christian. And I didn't think that I could go be this highly confident and almost egotistical player but also be a Christian. See before being saved I had incredible belief in myself as a player and bordered the line of confidence and ego. After I got saved I lost my edge as a player confidence wise because I misinterpreted what being a Christian meant. I thought I had to stuff away my confidence and be full of humility. What I've realized as I have grown more mature in my faith is that confidence comes exactly from Jesus and that I should be incredibly confident. The reasons are because God is a great God, and if

My faith is placed in a great God who created me in His image, He must want me to be great. Also, I can't justify the theory that Jesus died on the cross for me to think of myself as less. I've learned that humble and humility mean for me to think of myself less often, but not as a lesser. The past few years that has been a great learning for me as a player who follows Jesus. 

As a person it radically changed me. In one night. Before Jesus I was someone consumed by my importance, my acclaim, my fame, women, money. I was at the top of the athletic world as a professional and all I thought about was "this is it?" This is as good as it gets?" That night my mind changed, my lifestyle changed. I no longer needed to go curse all the time. No longer needed to get drunk. No longer needed to be consumed with that life that led me to emptiness. I was fulfilled, encouraged, challenged, by a greater lifestyle.

Me: What was the reaction when you began to tell others about your faith walk?Dan: I had the reactions from friends that you could anticipate. Most of my friends were a little dumb-founded and asking a lot of questions. They were scared I would "change", which I did. I think they were mostly afraid that they didn't want our friendships to suffer, or me to become someone that couldn't hang out with them anymore because i was going to live my life differently now.Me: What's been the most difficult part of balancing Dan Orlovsky the football player with Dan the Husband and Dad?Dan: Football is incredibly important to me. I am 32, I have been playing football since I was 9.  23 years, my whole adult life,  11 years professionally. It has shaped me and taught me and given more more than I have ever could have given it. I love it with every fiber inside of me. But, and that is a very big BUT, it is not who I am, who I was created to be, nor what is even close to the most important thing in my life. I don't believe a ton in moderation, so when I do something it gets my all, but I have learned over time that being a Dad and a Husband is the greatest challenge and fortune I have ever been afforded. The great thing about football, is that in so many ways it has prepared me for marriage and fatherhood. Me: If you could go back and tell your 21 year old self somethings what would you say?Dan: You're not as "cool" as you think you are.Me: When you got to the NFL, who were some veterans that you looked to for guidance and wisdom both in your football journey and in your faith journey?Dan: Early on in my career I was so blessed to be around 4 dudes who were studs as men, men of faith and NFL football players. Josh McCown was a younger QB who was a family man, had an incredible walk, and wanted this long NFL career. I was able to sit and watch him, in so many areas of his life, and I learned so much. Dave Wilson was the Lions team chaplain and again was this man of faith and had a family that was just different. He spoke to me and my heart, my demons, like no one had before. Jon Kitna was our starting QB who was unlike any human I had been around in my life before. He walked the walk and talked the talk. Jon was a family man of great faith and was very out-spoken and bold in his faith, and he never held back in his challenging of those around him, Lastly, Mike Furrey. Mike was this dude who had this incredible football journey to the NFL, and an even more so, one as a man. A husband and father, Mike had incredibly strong faith, but very much so was about actions and not words, and that resonated with me big-time. All 4 of these men had such an impact on my life, my kids' lives, that it is truly hard to put into words.Me: Is there a story that you can share when you saw a teammate or coach come to faith in Christ?Dan: I've been fortunate to see a lot of guys come to Christ throughout the years, and I love watching guys' journey of faith and reconciliation and change. I was that guy, and in some ways on a daily basis, still am. Me: How do you stay grounded in your faith during the long grind of an NFL season?Dan: My faith is the only thing that keeps me grounded throughout the long grind of the NFL season, let alone one that faces some real challenges. When you don't win in the NFL, the days get long, the weeks get longer, and the season seems at times like it cant end soon enough. But, God can use those moments, and if He is allowing me to go through it, it must be for a reason I can't see, or maybe I can't understand. But I believe in all things, God has me exactly where He wants me and when, and in that, He calls me to give my all, no matter the circumstances. Because of that, I can overcome the grind.Me: You've played for 5 NFL teams, what has that journey been like the past 10 years playing in different cities and at the same time, having a family to tend to?Dan: This is one part of the NFL that really does suck. It is hard. It is hard on us, but we are such creatures of habit, and it is our job, I think we can handle it relatively well. Our spouses and kids, I feel have it the hardest. It is hard on some women to open up and become vulnerable to other women, and forge real relationships and friendships, because someone in that group will probably be gone the next week, and 1/3 of it by next season. My triplet sons recently turned 4 years old, and have lived in 4 different states, 4 different homes and attended 3 different schools. All by the age of 4. Thats hard, and a lot for young kids to take in. Now I am also very aware of how incredible our job and lifestyle is, but it comes with some very real things in life that pose legit difficulties.Me: What's the biggest lesson you have learned as an NFL QB?Dan: The biggest lesson I have learned as an NFL QB is that even God does not please everybody, so I should stop trying to do so as well. Work hard, trust and believe in myself, and when the time comes, let it rip.Me: What would you like to do after your playing career is over?Dan: When done playing I would love to be an in game analyst/broadcaster for, or coach a private high school in or near the Philadelphia area, which is where my wife is from and our home is.