Jay Cutler stood on the sidelines with the same disinterested look he has shown his entire career. There was no "hide the helmet" moment for Cutler. Nobody saw Jay Cutler screaming at his coach to let him play the rest of the game against the Packers. There was no Jay Cutler refusing treatment from the medical staff, no injection at halftime, no ice, and no brace. Jay Cutler simply stood, not sat, on the sidelines and watched his Chicago Bears limp to defeat.
I'm not doubting his injury. Cutler obviously felt that he couldn't escape the rush, drop back in the pocket, or plant his leg well enough to help the team. Although questionable, I'm not doubting Cutler's heart. Maybe Cutler and the Bears felt that benching him was best for the team. The Bears were doing nothing offensively. Brett Favre cost the Vikings multiple games by playing when injured. Maybe Cutler sacrificed himself for the chance to go to the Superbowl. I'm not even questioning Cutler's threshold for pain. I have trouble tying my shoes when my back is giving me trouble. Maybe Cutler just knew that he was too hurt to give it a go.
So for next year, I draft a receiver with size, pick up a veteran who goes over the middle, and try it one more time. Oh yeah, and I fire Jay Cutler's Public Relations guy.
Jay Cutler is obviously a man who is difficult to like. He throws a lot of picks, gets traded by the Bronco's new coach, shows zero emotion, and leaves games when the Superbowl is on the line. Where the hell is your PR guy when you need him?
The first move in the Jay Cutler PR department agenda would show how to leave a football field. Cutler could have limped out for one more play, stood in the shotgun formation to avoid moving, thrown the ball into the stands to avoid the interception that was probably coming, then fall to the ground holding that knee of his. The networks would have seven different angles of the pain in Cutler's face, applauding the fact that he gave it one more try. Brian Urlacher and Devon Hester would carry him off the field like a wounded soldier. On the sidelines, Cutler could scream at his coach to let him go back in the game, then fall to ground in pain. Jay could make one last attempt to play as he refuses medical treatment, pushes away the doctors, and crawls away from the medical cart that is heading to the locker room for xrays. Finally, Jay Cutler could have had the nation watching him as the strapped down quarterback gives the team, and crowd, the thumbs up and a Tim Tebow like pep talk as the cart vanishes into the stadium locker room.
When the game was over, a tearful Jay Cutler could have apologized to his teammates and the city of Chicago, for not being strong enough and for letting his team down. But no apology would be necessary, because the world would have seen his effort.
Willis Reed will be forever known as the man who limped onto the court during the NBA finals. Curt Schilling pitched in the World Series with blood dripping down his ankle. Byron Leftwhich had his offensive linemen carry him down the field in a college bowl game after a broken leg. Steve Nash played in the NBA playoffs with blood streaming from the bridge of his nose. And Ronnie Lott cut off his own finger to continue playing the game of football.
You blew it Jay Cutler. You're fired PR guy. You could have ended up looking like Cuba Gooding Jr. at the end of Jerry Maguire, but instead, you ended up looking like Jeff George, or worse, yourself.
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