Dan Orlovsky is no stranger to controversial takes, but his latest might be his most bizarre yet. The former NFL quarterback, who went 3-23 as a starter, used his platform on ESPN's Get Up! Tuesday morning to declare that no man should ever get a pedicure. Yes, you read that right.
Orlovsky's rant came in response to a segment about Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall, whose wife revealed that Sumrall loves getting pedicures every two weeks during football season. "He loves pedicures… That's his favorite extra thing to do," she said. But Orlovsky wasn't having it.
"I am completely against pedicures for dudes. You're a dude, you're not supposed to get pedicures," Orlovsky said, doubling down on his stance. The comment quickly went viral, and not in a good way.
Social media reacts
The sports world was quick to push back. One fan wrote, "We need games to start so badly. The offseason gets dumber every year." Another added, "I've never had one. But dudes who have 'guy rules' of what you can and can't do as a man, are lame. Women have mastered 'treat yo self,' and honestly, men should do more of it. Stop being too insecure to just enjoy yourself."
Even those who don't care about pedicures found the take exhausting. "Never had a pedicure. Can't even put myself in the headspace to care about somebody who does," one user wrote. Another pointed out the irony: "This clip is annoying 1) because it's standard hot take slop that gets clipped and engagement and blah blah blah and as a society we should just ignore it, and 2) because he's wearing a face full of make up while saying it."
Orlovsky's take also drew comparisons to his previous controversial statements, including his defense of his quarterback rankings and his plea to NFL GMs about Ty Simpson. But this one feels different — it's not about football, it's about feet.
Orlovsky's history of bad takes
This isn't the first time Orlovsky has been ripped for an off-field opinion. He's known for his puritanical views on food — he's against most sauces, seasonings, and flavors. Now, he's adding pedicures to the list. The irony isn't lost on fans, especially given that Orlovsky himself appeared on TV with a face full of makeup while delivering his anti-pedicure sermon.
Orlovsky's comments also echo a broader conversation about masculinity and self-care. As one fan put it, "Insane ideology. And it's worse if you listen to the whole clip too." The consensus seems clear: Orlovsky is out of step with modern thinking on what it means to be a man.
For context, this isn't the first time Orlovsky has stirred the pot this offseason. He recently found himself in hot water after ESPN insider Adam Schefter scolded him over emoji eyes tweets. And his painful payoff — being forced to wear a Michigan earring — showed he can take a joke. But this pedicure take feels like a step too far for many.
As for Sumrall, he's probably enjoying his next pedicure while the sports world debates Orlovsky's latest hot take. And honestly, who can blame him?
