I scanned Sports Illustrated's website this morning and found that apparently the stories on Jay Cutler's nightlife have national traction. Most of you know that I've developed a staunch policy against writing about off-field issues, as I find a majority of them to be media-manipulated (if not created) excuses of perching middle-aged white writers atop the highest of high moral horses.
Jay Christopher Cutler (JCC to our Jewish readers) was born April 29, 1983. I'm no wizard at mathematics but that means exactly a week from today Jay Christopher Cutler will turn twenty-six years old. That's young. That's so young that it's younger than me. And if JCC wants to explore the nightlife in one of America's most vibrant cities...maybe meet a couple broads...maybe get pissed drunk...I'm all for it.
But this is not about Jay Cutler, as much as the press would like you to think it is by pretending to be concerned for his health. This is about the Jim Nantz-ification of the American sports media and their obsession with conservative family values. Celebrate Archie Manning's love for his kids and Deanna Favre's support for her husband while denigrating Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler for enjoying their existence as young men of means. Why? Because it's easy. Because it's convenient. Because those middle-aged white sportswriters know that they're working with a predominantly middle-aged white sports fan reader. And because both know that they'd much rather be surrounded by beautiful women and free drinks then meeting deadlines and mowing their lawns in Arlington Heights.
It's not just sports, of course. We live in a "you must have a wife and kids" culture. Happiness need not apply. And since I'm about to spend an entire year apologizing for every mistake Jay Cutler makes, I think this is the right time to point out that being young and having fun is not a mistake. Not at 26. Not in April.
Now if he's getting drunk during Packer week in early September, we'll re-evaluate. But until then, Jay, enjoy being the King of Chicago. Because right now it's all on credit. On September 13th, you'll have to earn the right to sit on the throne.
#2 Phil from SATX said . . .hell maybe he will help create his replacement for 20 something years down the road.
April 22, 2009
#3 Murph said . . .Jeff, ya did it to me again! Reposting.
Regarding the non-issue of Cutler's partying, I just spoke with my brother, a 40 year old Type 1 diabetic diagnosed when he was 8 years old or so, who is in otherwise good health but also drinks his fair share. He also happens to be a PhD microbiologist. His comment was that alcohol is not "good" for anyone. That said, the principal issue regarding alcohol for diabetics is simply accounting for its caloric content. So the comment about Cutler and his profession can be made about any other NFL player who drinks. My guess is there's quite a few of those.
Non-issue.
Love the concept of the 2nd best safety over the 7th best WR - absolutely, that or a great guard. That's the way to go. Still a little surprised we weren't more interested in Holt.
I too love the draft and will be anxiously awaiting our pick, while skipping the first round entirely.
JAYCUTLERJAYCUTLERJAYCUTLER
GO BEARS!!!
April 22, 2009
#4 Duff Diggler said . . .I guess I will never understand the need to delve into the private life of people. Unless he is breaking laws or screwing up the team, its his life and he is free to live it as he chooses. He may want to touch base with Urlacher and get a pic of his babys mother just in case shes out on the prowl for more bear some evening.
April 22, 2009
#5 Urlacher FTW said . . .I think "Jay Cutler" should be a shot.
April 22, 2009
#6 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil - your brother is somewhat right but as a tinybiologist hehe, he should know that it has to be accounted for in several ways. Drinking a glass of wine with dinner, you are correct, drinking all night into a stuper and going home and talking to Ralph on the big white telephone is infinitely more dangerous for diabetics than for people without.
You can easily tip the scales of your blood sugar in several ways: the alcohol processes very quickly into sugar, after 5 or 6 shots it is easy to lose count of how much you've actually drank in number and strength of drinks. Running your organs at high sugar levels causes them to not last as long and the higher the levels the more severe the effect. Plus if you get sick and vomit from drinking too much and forget to account for the insulin you injected at dinner, you can develop an insulin build up and go into a coma the next night or 2 when it kicks in; and if alone you could die.
I think Jay has every right to live life the way he wants, everyone does; if my doctor said you would live longer if you stopped drinking Dr. Pepper, I'd just have to die sooner. But noone should think it isn't any different for a diabetic to drink heavily than a non-diabetic. :)April 22, 2009
#7 Urlacher FTW said . . .Ur, I'm sure you're right, but all of those things you're talking about presuppose problems that occur if you're not monitoring your caloric intake and adjusting insulin accordingly - so it still comes down to the same thing I said - it's a caloric issue, not a "alcohol is specifically bad for diabetics" issue. Getting shit-faced drunk is pretty much bad for everybody, right? Full disclosure - my brother also commented that part of the problem of alcohol with diabetics is its effects on blood sugar are a little unpredictable. So that's a factor too.
There are diabetics that are disciplined and stay in good control (not talking just about alcohol here) and many many who do not. I would expect Jay to be in the former group, being one of the few people in the world who have achieved the level of NFL starting QB.
April 22, 2009
#8 Phil from SATX said . . .Most type ones I would say yes, they grow up with it, things like diet soda, special frosting, not eating candy, and not drinking a lot are just second nature by the time they are Jay's age. Cutler just found out he has it, I'm sure non of it is habit. And I have never seen a diabetic break out the blood sugar tester bewtween shots.
I have personally had to shove glucose pills down my best friend's throat when he wouldn't wake up on Monday morning after a weekend of heavy partying. By some miracle I was off that day or I wouldn't have ever known. Sometimes even though we had needles and insulin in the fridge and I saw him check sugar and shoot up daily, I would forget he had it. It is very important for Jay and his friends to remember, it is different for him.April 22, 2009
#9 Albert in Tucson said . . .I'm not sure I knew it's a brand new thing for him, you're absolutely right about that being different from someone who's had it for decades. Hopefully his maturity and brains will help him understand the magnitude of the disease and the importance of control.
I guess we're probably done with the science segment of Da Bears Blog, huh?
April 22, 2009
#10 Urlacher FTW said . . .There was a rumor floated right after the deal that Denver let Cutler go because they were afraid his diabetes was causing him to run down in the 4th quarter of games. Naturally, they failed to mention that his passer rating in the 4th quarter is something like 94.6. But why let the facts stand in the way of a good story?
Careful what you read/see/hear from the media be it newspapers, TV and radio and especially the internet.
"If you don't read a newspaper every day you are uninformed.
If you DO read a newspaper every day you are MISinformed." -- Mark Twain
April 22, 2009
#11 Anyoneofus said . . .Yah, sorry bout the rant, just touchy with me.
Jeff, IT IS PACKER WEEK!
April 22, 2009
#12 jeff said . . ."Did you hear that those mean conservative white guys over 40 are saying Jay Cutler drinks beer @ Wrigley and drops pucks! George Bush Sucks," Jeff said.
"Wow. Imagine that. No journalistic standards in journalism anymore. What's next?"
"I mean. Did you see what they said to Perez Hilton. I mean we live in a you must have a wife and child culture," Jeff said again, panting.
"Yeah umm, don't you mean the Paris Hilton, Perez Hilton, Nicole Richie, Britanny Spears, Any-Gansta-You Ho's Want To Name, politically correct/thought police culture?"
"White guys over forty! Obama rules!"
"Oh I get it. You mean the same media that lacked any journalistic standard that brought us the Cutler thing, is the same media machine that brought us Obama."
"Asshole. You're probably one of them."
April 22, 2009
#13 JWilson said . . .i really like that. i don't understand it. but i really liked it.
April 22, 2009
#14 BDG said . . .If the kid is out drinking on his own time. Let him be. He's not drinking and driving. He's not buying illegal, unregistered guns. He's not shooting himself. He's not shooting anyone else. He's not doing anything illegal. If this shit comes up during the season, then maybe we should talk shit about it. I really don't think this is going to be a problem once the pads have to go on.
Let's give the new Qb some slack. He got traded to a team he always wanted to play for. He wanted to celebrate!
As a Bears fan what did you do new you heard the trade news? Celebrate??
April 22, 2009
#15 big rob said . . .#11 I wish I was smart enough to decipher what the hell you were talking about there because it sounded interesting.
I'm far more concerned with Cutler's double chin than his drinking issues. Maybe they are related. As long as he doesn't balloon up or start being hung over at games I'm 100 % behind himApril 22, 2009
#16 Shady said . . .he's always had that double chin.... and it's always annoyed the shit out of me.... probably gonna annoy me less now that he's our QB.... Go Bears!
April 22, 2009
#17 Phantom One said . . .The way I look at it, he's just bonding with teammates when JCC goes out with G-Reg and company.
People act like this is something new. Well it's not. Get over it. Jay is a big boy and he can make these kinds of decisions on his own. I won't have any problem with his personal life as long as:
A. He stays out of legal trouble.
B. He helps make a positive difference in the Chicago community.
C. He performs his best come game time.
As long as he can accomplish these three things, I really don't give a damn what this man does with his free time.
April 22, 2009
#18 Joseph said . . .Change subject please. This is brutal/futile. Stay focused on the mission at hand.
The media complex is what it is, and as customers we are best served to boycott the ones that you hold a disdain for. Please don't mistake it for journalism...
April 23, 2009
#19 Idonije said . . .Jay Cutler is coming to my party at the Wit Hotel June 5th...I promise not to get him too wasted Angelo.
April 23, 2009
#20 Jay Cutler said . . .This is an annoying conversation to have, but is the culture we live in today. I personally believe that it is a concern though, but just hope he has the responsibility needed to stay on top of it.
By the way my dad has had diabetes for 2 decades, and just last year I was pouring sugar-infused orange juice in his mouth at 3 A.M. and calling an ambulance after he had to much to drink at a wedding. The problem is you drink to much, and like a normal person you are ready to do nothing but sleep, when you should be checking your blood sugar before falling asleep.
The solution: make sure Jay is bringing some good looking broad home with him nightly to help keep an eye on him.
April 23, 2009
#21 Josh McDaniels said . . .Hello Chicago! I'm pumped to get this franchise back to the top. I was miserable out in Denver when my man love Shanahan got the boot. Damn Josh McDaniel treated me like I was some QB with a losing record or something. I mean what the hell does he know about QBs anyways? What QBs has he ever coached that he could gage if I would be successful in his stupid offense anyways? I can't believe he made inquiries to other teams about trading me. Doesn't he know I'm Jay Cutler? Doesn't he know I threw for 4,500 yards last year & went to the Pro Bowl? What an asshole who deserves to be drop kicked in his ball bag.
Well after I studied the Bears history I realized I have my work cut out for me, but hey I frickin Jay Cutler !!!....
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Articles/11_2709_The_beached_whale_of_NFL_offenses.html
April 23, 2009
#22 enderwiggin said . . .Jay you little sniveling shit bag! I can't believe you acted like such a bitch just because I talked to a couple of teams to see what you would be worth in a trade. Shit man I just wanted to see if someone was stupid enough to give up the farm for you. I mean I watched all your game film & what I gathered from is you have a million dollar arm to go along with 2 cent brain. You've got a long way to go you little piss ant & the faster you learn that you aren't entitled shit until you've actually done something then you will never amount to shit in this league. You aren't even the best QB in your new division, but the false hype machine has pegged you as the #1. What a bunch of idiots the media is. I would take Rodgers over you in a heartbeat right now. Anyways, here is a little reasoning behing me shopping you after I watched all your game film & looked over the stats...
April 23, 2009
#23 Joseph said . . .While I don't care for the JayCutler blasphemy, i thought the coldhardfootballfacts were great. I actually have hope that i will see offensive records being broken in my lifetime.
Awesome post btw Jeff, thanks man. Screw them media bastards
April 23, 2009
#24 Gonzorelli said . . .#20 & #21 ur a fucking pussy Packer fan starting shit. Wait til Gay Rod doesn't live up to the hype of last year. Oh no ur defense is changing to a 3-4...big fucking deal. Your O-line blows and Grant is more fragile than a Christmas Tree Ornament. The Packers are lucky if they go 8-8. Cutler and the Bears will own this Division for the next 5 years Period!
April 23, 2009
#25 B said . . .You tell em Joseph! You're right, those Peckers stink! Our Bears are Super Bowl bound FOR SURE because John Clayton said so! In John Clayton & Brian Baldinger we trust right?!?!!
Does anyone know where I can purchase my Super Bowl tickets at? I want to get a head start on those puppies before they become a hot commodity.
April 23, 2009
#26 Ditka Forever said . . .Its April, its Chicago, drink all you want Jay. just not during the season. party it up with ur teammates
April 23, 2009
#27 The Ghost of Halas said . . .One last thing about the diabetes. Doesn't he wear an insulin pump? I know that it doesn't completely compensate for all rapid swings in glucose, but he should be covered in a night of steady drinking (not pounding shots).
April 23, 2009
#28 Bears Fanatic said . . .Ageism! I call ageism!
Just because we're old doesn't make us festudious.
But you're god damned right. This is a hyped-up, super-engorged media making a story out of nothing. We see the same stuff in political and economic news all day long and over the past 15 years or more it has creeped into sports media.
Oh well. C'est la vie. Packer Week! Foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the Draft being over. I would personally go with a Defensive Back in the 2nd and maybe a Wide Reciever in the 3rd, but I still want to sign a veteran like Marvin Harrison.
April 23, 2009
#29 johnnyelpaso said . . .Jim McMahon took his O-line out drinking on a regular basis. During the season. His teammates loved that about him. He was a leader. They won a Super Bowl.
If Cutler wants to go out with his teammates, by all means, go for it. I think a lot of guys worry too much about image and endorsements now instead of having fun and winning games together. I'm glad he's having some fun as a Bear.
April 23, 2009
#30 NittyGritty34 said . . .here we go again, the media trying to tarnish a young football player by enjoying himself......come on guys, hes young and enjoying a new environment in shy town.....hes trying to fit in......hey when i was that age i was chasing tail and enjoying my youth without anything holdin me back but an empty wallet and a ugly girl that i didnt remember taking home....hes got everything going for him so enjoy Cutler and dont hold back...
April 23, 2009
#31 Sdwat51 said . . .I agree that the media is ridiculous nowadays, but I lived with an insulin dependent diabetic who liked to drink, and we had the ambulance show up monthly due to his alcohol induced siezures. You should see how slow his brain works now. Too many seizures took their toll.
I have no problem with his desire to party in the off season, but I sure hope he watches himself. Diabetes is nothing to fuck with.
April 23, 2009
#32 NittyGritty34 said . . .Jeff,
Ya know, I agree about 1000% with the idea that the media goes much too far in trying to stir up shit over someone's personal choices off the field. Unless it's illegal or harmful to others, it's none of our friggin' business.
However, I do take exception to this:
"Because those middle-aged white sportswriters know that they're working with a predominantly middle-aged white sports fan reader. And because both know that they'd much rather be surrounded by beautiful women and free drinks then meeting deadlines and mowing their lawns in Arlington Heights.
It's not just sports, of course. We live in a "you must have a wife and kids" culture. Happiness need not apply."
Yo, man...that's over the top by a few miles. Your blog, so you can write what you like, but your accusation is crap, as is your stereotype of me.
April 23, 2009
#33 Sarcastiholic said . . .Uh oh! Got the media after your ass now Jeff. I applaud you!
April 23, 2009
#34 BekBiafDine said . . .Even if Cutler didn't have diabetes, he'd still have to watch the abuse and enjoy the use.
It's the offseason and I really hope the sportswriters will stop trying to chip the finish off the Cutler trade before he's even played a snap.
April 24, 2009
Hullo, I have been milling around this website for a long time Figured I would introduce myself.
August 26, 2009
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.