Teammates Defend Cutler’s Toughness

January 24, 2011 9:55 AM

Jay Cutler and Olin Kreutz (Photo Credit: Getty Images, By: Jonathan Daniel)

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Bears, injury, Jay Cutler, Olin Kreutz

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In the wake of Jay Cutler’s knee injury his toughness has been called into question by some fans and players around the league. But his Chicago Bears’ teammates know their quarterback.

“He could have stayed in the locker room with what he had,” Bears’ offensive lineman Olin Kreutz said after Sunday’s game. “But he came back out and tried to play.”

According to a report by Sean Jensen, of the Chicago Sun-Times, the results of Cutler’s MRI indicated that he tore his MCL. If this proves to be the case, then its clear that players, fans and members of the media rushed to judge Cutler and question his toughness.

The following are tweets from NFL players criticizing Cutler for not returning to the game.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew: “All I’m saying is that he can finish the game on a hurt knee… I played the whole season on one.”

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett: “If I’m on chicago team jay cutler has to wait till me and the team shower get dressed and leave before he comes in the locker room!”

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Kirk Morrison: “Jay Cutler better go put some Tussin on that knee and get back out there.”

And if those weren’t bad enough, some Bears’ fans even went as far as burning a Cutler jersey.

It seems as if the injury was just another reason for some to be highly critical of Cutler. Everything from his personality to his mechanics to his ability to win have been called into question this season. And before Sunday’s game, his toughness might have been the only thing that hadn’t been questioned. And then an opportunity arose.

But just like all season, and for his entire Bears’ career, his teammates have supported him and disputed the negative comments.

“There isn’t a tougher quarterback in the NFL,” Kreutz said. “And that’s period.”

Fed Up Fan

I dont believe it!! I Feel like purposely he threw this game and Rodgers kept the point spread where it was suppose to be.. I hate the politics in sports!! The whole thing is, 1 the higher ups in the league is making football soft!! 2 these premadonnas called football players are soft! I dnt give a damn if his leg was hanging off you get yo ass out there and you tough it out and bring your team home with a victory!! Its no excuses how they threw this game, and person with comman sense any betting man seen that!! Im so freaking through with this shhhhhh… Its a crying shame!!

Your Mom

The view must be very good from the cheap seats, sonny.

Stefan Bennett

Jay’s physical toughness I wouldn’t question…the guy get’s pummeled regularly. and come’s back Like alot of fans I question his mental toughness. He looked defeated from the 1st quarter through his mannerisms… he moped… talked to himself and his body language was all wrong for a QB that was playing in the Championship..To me he looked like he quit mentally…. not physically. He’s a smart guy and I hope he matures from this experience. That being said I think the Bears exceeded expectations and they should be proud they got as far as they did.
Jerry

I think sportscasters that made comments without getting the facts should be drug tested just like the players have to during the season.. As a matter of fact that goes for all the ex players and players that are watching from home making these comment.

I want to know if they are high, or justt plain stupid.
Steel Curtain

Don’t feel bad Bears fan, Steelers might have knocked Cutler back to Denver
Mel

what do you expect for his teammates to say? nevertheless, what you witnessed was total capitulation on the part of jay cutler! He is a COWARD!!!!! Grant, Lee, Eisenhower; how would they have critiqued jay cutler as a leader? I know he would have failed miserably!! Those who attempt to defend his actions are definitely misguided in their analysis. My suggestion to Jay Cutler is that during the offseason he brush up on his leadership skills! He needs to read anything written by Warren Bennis on leadership. “we can all stand to be corrected.” His Vanderbilt education doesn’t exempt him from criticism!
Patty O

For all you moronic so called Bears fans who have played QB in the NFL on a torn MCL, who have been sacked 138 times and missed one game who idolize the idiocy of all those NFL players sitting on their couches without the slightest clue as to what extent Jay Cutler was hurt, and yet have the audacity to ciriticize a peer for something they knew nothing about, shame on you. You are an embarasssment to your profession and to yourselves. There are not enough four letter words to describe the unfprofessional calling out of another player due to your own ignorance. Mike Ditka, Jason Whitlock and Deon Sanders, plain and simple you are, oh, you know what your are. ESPN should be embarassed that you are in their employ.
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