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On This Date: Dan Orlovsky Runs Out of Back of End Zone

Dan Orlovsky is part of one of the most infamous NFL plays ever.

John Maakaron

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In his first ever career NFL start, Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky became infamous. 

While most would have liked to have tossed five touchdowns in a blowout win, the ex-Lions quarterback became infamous for a play that he would likely want to put behind him. 

On this date 14 years ago, Orlovsky ran out of the back of the end zone, late in the first quarter of a matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Orlovsky played 12 seasons in the NFL, including with the Lions from 2005-08 and from 2014-16. 

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter did not forget -- as he posted a reminder on social media on Wednesday -- that it was the anniversary of one of the most infamous safeties in NFL history. 

Earlier this year, Orlovsky got a moment of freedom, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo repeated the error in his first start of the 2022 NFL season. 

Midway through the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos, at Empower Field at Mile High, Garoppolo stepped out of bounds on second-and-10, resulting in a safety.

Orlovsky went viral when he posted his reaction to Garoppolo's embarrassing mistake. 

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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