ESPN
April 2 is Autism Awareness Day, leading to a touching celebration of Dan Orlovsky’s young son Madden by the NFL Live crew. Madden Orlovsky has autism, with his father Dan saying that “drawing is his superpower.”
During the Wednesday, April 2 episode of ESPN’s daily football show, Dan Orlovsky was joined by his son Madden to show him the special surprise that the NFL Live crew had put together for him: decorating the entire studio in his artwork.
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 🧩
While recapping the situation for the audience at home, Orlovsky understandably got choked up.
“Today is April 2, it’s World Autisim Awareness Day. I have an autisitc son, he’s actually here with us, named Madden. And his superpower is drawing. He loves art, he loves to draw — animation, characters. And so, today’s studio is going to be — “ Orlovsky explains as his voice breaks with emotion.
“The art of it is decorated all by Madden,” he continued. “It’s all of his drawings. And he just walked into the set-up of the studio today and this was his reaction,” the former Lions QB concluded, voice once again cracking.
Way to go, Madden! pic.twitter.com/VI958WTJfx
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 2, 2025
Orlovsky’s pals on Get Up! also had a heartwarming reaction to the moment the following morning.
.@danorlovsky7‘s son, Madden, helped create graphics for NFL Live in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.
Our crew reacts to this beautiful moment ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YtBsWw2gbJ
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 3, 2025
The NFL Live crew of Orlovsky, host Laura Rutledge, and fellow analysts Mina Kimes, Marcus Spears, and Ryan Clark have clearly become one of the tightest-knit crews at ESPN, with their tribute to Madden on Autism Awareness Day further highlighting that.