Former NFL star quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested Thursday evening in Franklin, Tennessee, on charges of driving under the influence, failure to exercise due care, violation of implied consent law, and possession of a handgun while under the influence.
According to the Franklin Police Department, officers responded to a call around 5 PM about a white Ram truck that had allegedly rear-ended another vehicle.
The driver of the struck vehicle reported that Cutler attempted to flee the scene and offered $2,000 to not call the police.
Upon arrival, officers found Cutler, 41, “staggering, swaying, and heavy-footed while walking,” according to the arrest affidavit. Police noted that “he spoke thick-tongued, slurred, and mumbled.” Officers also reported a strong smell of alcohol and bloodshot eyes.
Cutler initially denied drinking but later amended his statement to say he had “a little.” He refused field sobriety tests and was taken to a hospital for a blood sample, though results are not yet available. The former quarterback also denied being involved in a crash.
A search of Cutler’s vehicle revealed a loaded Glock handgun in the center console and a rifle in the back seat, leading to the additional weapons charge.
Cutler was booked into the Williamson County Jail, where he posed for a mug shot described as “scruffy” by sources. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released later that night.
The arrest marks a stark contrast to Cutler’s celebrated football career. He starred at Vanderbilt University in Nashville from 2001-2005, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in his final season. Cutler went on to play 12 years in the NFL, primarily with the Chicago Bears, where he was later named one of the 100 greatest Bears of all time.
Off the field, Cutler gained additional fame through his marriage to reality TV star Kristin Cavallari. The couple, who divorced in 2022, starred in the popular show “Very Cavallari,” which followed their life in Nashville with their three children.
Cutler’s court date for these charges is set for January 2025. Representatives for the former quarterback have not yet commented on the incident.