A fender bender in Franklin, Tennessee escalated into serious legal trouble for former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, who now faces multiple charges including driving under influence.
- Oct 19, 2024
AceShowbiz - Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, 41, found himself in a legal whirlwind after a late afternoon car crash led to his arrest on DUI and weapons charges. The incident, which occurred around 5 p.m. on October 17 in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, involved Cutler rear-ending another vehicle on Bridge Street.
According to the Franklin Police Department, officers at the scene immediately detected a "strong odor of alcohol" emanating from Cutler. He exhibited classic signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. PEOPLE reported that Cutler refused to undergo field sobriety tests and was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where a blood sample was obtained through a warrant.
Authorities discovered two firearms in Cutler's vehicle, including a loaded pistol. The charges against him include DUI, illegal possession of a gun while intoxicated, implied consent, and failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision. Cutler was booked into the Williamson County Jail and later released on a $5,000 bond around 10 p.m. that night.
TMZ reported that after the crash, Cutler allegedly offered the driver he hit $2,000 to avoid reporting the accident. The other driver, however, proceeded to a local hospital to address back pain complaints and reported the incident to the authorities.
Cutler's troubled evening marks a stark contrast to his accomplished football career. Drafted into the NFL in 2006, he played 12 seasons with teams including the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Denver Broncos. Notably, Cutler was recognized for his performance in 2008 with a Pro Bowl selection and remains the Bears' all-time passing leader with over 23,000 yards and 154 touchdowns.
Beyond his football legacy, Cutler co-starred in the reality TV series "Very Cavallari" alongside his then-wife, Kristin Cavallari. The couple shared three children, and she filed for divorce in 2020 citing irreconcilable differences and "inappropriate marital conduct." Since his retirement in 2017, Cutler has ventured into entrepreneurship, now owning the outdoors company Outsider.
