Jay Cutler, Role Model?

Two weeks ago, Jay Cutler was seen yelling at his offensive linemen and bumping into one of them disgustedly on his way to the sideline. He was frustrated, rightfully so, but went over the line with the physical contact with his teammate. He got ridiculed massively in the media for his hot-headedness, and he responded with an apology and better antics the next week. Disaster averted right?

Wrong. Last night he was seen multiple times yelling at his coaches for not getting plays into him in time. Then he goes on a bit of a tirade on the sideline, walking away from one of his coaches in anger.

Analysts call it typical Cutler. Many claim that last night's antics are no big deal; that he's being his normal, bold and demonstrative self. I say enough is enough. He's being a poor sport and a TERRIBLE role model for fans out there.


Kids learn from their mentors, and a starting NFL quarterback is a natural role model whether or not he wants to be one. Everybody in the Chicago area (and frankly across the entire country with the current coverage and popularity of the NFL) sees Cutler's antics and accepts them as the norm. Thus, kids see him go over and shove his teammate. Kids see him yelling at his coach and then walking away from him. So guess what, kids now think that this is completely acceptable.

I hate to tell you...actually no I don't hate to tell you, I love telling you...that if any of my players did that, they would be on the bench for the rest of the day AT BEST! More than likely they'd sit there the rest of the year or just take a hike for the season. There is NO PLACE FOR THAT on a sports team, especially for youth learning the game.

The one thing that is being lost more than anything in my mind in youth is respect. And I'm not talking about a "fear me" respect of an adult. I'm talking about a genuine respect for your elders, for your peers, and for yourself. It's quite sad really.

Now, I know Jay Cutler is not alone. Kurt Warner yelled at Dick Vermiel in the Super Bowl in front of a worldwide audience. Tom Brady was seen many times having very heated debates with his QB Coach Bill O'Brien. Is that acceptable? Truly, I still say no. It's BETTER than shoving a teammate or a coach, but those players and coaches need to know that they're being seen by the cameras no matter what they do. And by Tom Brady yelling at his coach and looking like he's truly in charge, little 10-year-olds think they are free to do the same. And sadly I'm seeing it more and more...on the field and in the home life and in schools.

Coaches and players going after the replacement refs certainly doesn't help either. I can't wait to see little kids trying to argue calls with umpires and referees after seeing three weeks of downright assault on the NFL replacement refs. Bill Belichick grabbing an official, the Harbaughs screaming until they're blue in the face, players like TJ Lang dropping F-bombs on Twitter...all result in kids thinking it's fine for them to do the same.

Is Jay Cutler the only one out there doing this? Absolutely not. But he's the one who is seen more often than not, especially in the current state. He needs to set an example for the rest of the league and the rest of the country. I've had enough of it. ESPN will talk about that instead of the game itself. And that's what's wrong with sports.