Former Detroit Lions backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky is officially calling it a career.
In an essay submitted to Sports Spectrum, the former signal-caller emotionally explained his thought process leading to retirement.
“It’s time for my journey as a football player to come to an end,” he said. “The game that made high school four of the most incredible years of my life. The game that sent me to college for free. The game that challenged me to play it at the highest level for 144 months. The game that brought some of my life’s greatest mentors. People like Dave Wilson, Jon Kitna, Mike Furrey, Josh McCown and Jim Caldwell. The game that has brought me some of my greatest friends. The game that forced me to prove myself to myself every single day. That game for me as a player, is now done.”
Orlovsky saw playing time in seven seasons during his time in the NFL, while playing for four different teams. He was originally selected by the Lions in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft, after playing college ball at the University of Connecticut. He eventually went on to play for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For his career, Orlovsky threw for 3,132 yards with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Nine of those touchdowns came as a member of the Lions.
In his essay, Orlovsky says that he does not know what the future holds for him.
“I don’t know what is next, and that’s the question everyone will ask me,” he said. “I don’t know if it is going to be in coaching, or TV or business, but I do know that everything I learned in football has given me supreme confidence in wherever that step goes.”
“Football, its my time. THANK YOU! You were my first love,” he declared in conclusion.
