Jemele Hill Calls Out ESPN NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky For ‘Racist’ Comment

Former ESPN star Jemele Hill is calling out NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky.

Orlovsky said last week that there’s a difference between quarterbacks like Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. Orlovsky was asked about his opinion during an appearance on “Unsportsmanlike” with Evan Cohen.

Read more PFF Metrics Show Colts Still Can’t Fix Their Historically Bad Defense

“Why do you love quarterbacks who haven’t done it versus those who have?” Cohen asked Orlovsky. “Why do you love [Justin] Herbert and [Jordan] Love… why do you not love [Jalen] Hurts? To the level of these other guys, you don’t.”

Orlovsky claimed, “I know where he’s going.”

“I totally disagree with that,” Orlovsky said. “Critical of Jalen, probably that first year and a half, two years as a starter. Ever since then, Hurts has won me over… I don’t doubt Hurts; I’ve so far removed myself from doubting Hurts in no matter what situation. I think why you’re a fan of Herbert is because that’s what it should look like.”

Some NFL fans found Orlovsky’s comment to be “racist,” given what he said. Orlovsky denied saying it, though he was hit with a Community Note on X.

Former ESPN star Jemele Hill, meanwhile, called him out on X.

Hill calls out Orlovsky after his comment

Hill made it clear that she’s a fan of Hurts, regardless of what he “looks like” at the quarterback position.

Read more Ohio State Players Are Reportedly Bothered By Fan Base’s Behavior

“Jalen Hurts just knows how to win. That’s what it’s supposed to look like,” she wrote on X, taking a clear shot at Orlovsky.

Eagles fans and others in the sports media world were appreciative of her not-so-subtle callout of the ESPN NFL analyst.

Orlovsky, meanwhile, has defended his comment.

“I said, ‘In relation to Herbert, that’s kind of what big-time quarterback play looks like. And he’s also accomplished a lot in the league historically… when I say, ‘it looks like,’ – big, tall, fast, powerful, strong, smart, big-time accuracy arm. That’s all I said,” Orlovsky explained.

Read more San Diego State may need its breakout transfer to carry the offense again

Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 1:10 PM.