Jay's Journey: My Relationship with Bears QB Jay Cutler
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 4:28PM 
I have known and covered Jay Cutler since he was a sophomore at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln, City, Indiana. The Pro-Bowl quarterback for the Chicago Bears recently asked me to help put together both written and video stories for his brand new website: www.jaycutlersix.com.
This is the first installment of Jay’s Journey. It is an overview of my relationship of Cutler, and the real side of Jay from his high school days until now.
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Jay Cutler made his first varsity start at quarterback for his high school as a sophomore on September 18, 1998. Cutler led Heritage Hills to a 27-0 victory over a conference rival. Since that day, I have had the great opportunity of watching Jay’s journey from a tall skinny high school sophomore into an NFL Pro Bowl quarterback.
My connection with Jay really started with my relationship with his hometown.
Heritage Hills High School was one of my first beats as a young sports reporter back in 1993. I worked then, and still to this day, for WEHT-TV in Evansville, IN which is an ABC affiliate. I learned quickly that the communities that make up the high school are extremely competitive, and fiercely loyal. Those are two qualities that burn inside of Jay to this very day.
In my first years on the job, no one from the Evansville media market covered the Patriots on any kind of consistent basis. I was the new guy, and my bosses would saddle me with the hour long drive to the Patriots home field affectionately known as The Jungle. I was told often from my peers how much they dreaded making that trip.
To my surprise, I instantly loved this beat. These were my kind of people. I would roll up in a TV news van, and the great folks at HHHS would trip over themselves in making me feel at home. The more I covered the Patriots and put them on TV, the more great friends I would meet on my return trips.
A few years into my career I was named Sports Director which meant I was making the calls on what games we would cover and who would report on them. Instead of staying close, I kept going back to Heritage Hills. I became very close to the entire coaching staff, and I met some really great friends that I am still close to today. I am supposed to be objective as a reporter, but back then I could not help but get caught up in Patriot Fever.
I live by the golden rule. I treat people just how they treat me. I never intended to show over the top favoritism to Heritage Hills during my sportscasts. However, the Patriots were so dominant, that all of my coverage was easily justified.
I spent a considerable amount of time at Heritage Hills during the Jay Cutler era. I interviewed Jay countless of times. I also got to know his father Jack who was a well-respected Indiana State Trooper at the time.
I always had a tough time getting Jay to talk about himself. He always deflected any praise. I would bring up some great play he made, or some stats that he piled up, and he would lower his head diagonally and rock back with a look on his face that was in between a smile and a smirk. He then gathered his thoughts, and would give credit to his teammates and his coaches. To this day, I see that exact same look when Jay is addressing a press conference on TV.
1999 NEWS 25 Home Team Friday MVP Banquet Picture -- Evansville, INIn 1999, I started a player of the week type of award at the TV station. Every Wednesday for 13 weeks we would do a profile called the MVP on the best players from around the Tri-State (SW Indiana, SE Illinois, and NW Kentucky). As a junior, Jay Cutler won one of the first MVP awards. That winter our station held a banquet to honor all 13 MVPs, and to recap their great seasons. Jay’s family has always been extremely supportive, and of course they attended the banquet as well. It was a great time to get to know the Cutlers away from the gridiron. Jay was one of the few underclassmen at the banquet.
In 2000, Jay had one of the best seasons in state history. He was simply by far the best player on the field for all 15 games as he led his Patriots to the school’s only State Championship in any sport. He was remarkable to cover that year. He would make plays that were just not typical of a high school player. His cannon arm, quickness, and incredible football instincts put him so far ahead of his opponents.
Even when I would go cover a practice, Jay was taking each snap, and each drill as serious as in a game. There is no sympathy for mistakes under Heritage Hills head coach Bob Clayton. Coach Clayton simply never then or now tolerates errors, sloppy play, or being unprepared. Cutler bought right into that philosophy.
Cutler scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime at the RCA Dome in the State Championship game. In an instant, he solidified himself as a hero to his community, and one of the best athletes in any sport that I had ever covered.
It was so much fun getting to know Jay during that magical season. He always treated me with the utmost respect, and over time he trusted my news judgment on stories.
2000 NEWS 25 Home Team Friday MVP Banquet -- Evansville, INA month after winning the State Championship, our station held our second annual MVP Banquet. There were some amazing players in that room. Justin Miller was a second round draft pick by the Jets, Jake Schiff led Mater Dei to a 15-0 record and the 2A State Title, and then there was Jay. Cutler won the 2000 MVP of the Year, and he and his family were so appreciative of the whole night. After the banquet, Jay came to the station and was live during our 10pm sportscast to talk about the evening. I even had him do some sports casting at the end of the broadcast.
Jay’s college recruiting story is well documented. I have heard and read many different versions, but I will tell it as I remember it.
All during his senior season, Jay was set to play for the University of Illinois. It was a given that Champaign was his destination. Former Heritage Hills’ standout and Indianapolis Colts Tight End Ken Dilger also played for the Illini. There really was not even any big secret about it. Jay was going to Illinois.
Then during the winter months after Cutler’s senior season ended, I got a call at my desk. It was Jay’s father Jack. As I remember, Jack told me that Illinois wanted Jay as a safety and not as a quarterback. He said that the family is pretty much back to square one with recruiting, and he wasn’t sure where Jay was going to go.
Then Jack said that out of the blue Vanderbilt had called and inquired about Jay. Jack said that it was odd, because it was the first time ever that Vandy had showed any interest in the entire recruiting process. Since the season was over, Jack said that Vanderbilt wanted a highlight tape of Jay, and he asked me if I could help.
After my 10pm show that night, I stayed at the station looking over 3 years worth of video tape. I finished up around 3am, and sent the tape fedex to the Cutler’s house. A few days later Jack called me back. He said, “Lance, I have great news. Vanderbilt offered Jay a scholarship!” I was so thrilled! Jack told me that the Vandy coaches were really impressed with Jay in the video I made. I am not about to take any credit whatsoever for his scholarship, however, I will say I was doing back flips when I got off the phone knowing how it all worked out.
During Jay’s press conference at the school to sign with Vandy, he thanked me publicly for helping him out. It was such a kind gesture, and it goes to show you how grateful and well-raised Jay is. I always enjoy covering our local players when they go on to college, and sometimes even the pros, but this connection with Jay at Vanderbilt was so exciting. I couldn’t wait to watch Jay’s college career start.
Our station covered Jay down in Nashville. He really exploded on the national scene his junior season. It was so amazing seeing him play on national TV down in The Swamp at Florida, or at Death Valley at LSU. I slipped in quick stories whenever I could in my sportscasts. We really got some great video of him playing for the Commodores.
After his college senior year, there was no doubt that Jay would be drafted. In typical loyal Jay Cutler fashion, he did not go to New York for the draft, but instead stayed in Nashville with all of his family and friends. Of course I went to the Music City to cover the draft. The banquet room at this restaurant was overflowing with Cutler fans. I remember how well Jay spoke on the stage they had setup, and how he really had transformed from a kid in high school into an adult on the brink of a professional career. He genuinely thanked everyone from his heart for all of their support, and he said that this day of celebration would never have been possible without them.
Then when he was selected eleventh overall in the first round, the place exploded with joy. I saw his high school coach Bob Clayton in the back corner. We were both taking the excitement in. Clayton was so proud. Heck, everyone was so proud.
Me and Jay in Nasvhille on NFL Draft Day 2006It was a whirlwind for Jay after he was drafted. He had to speak to the national media, and then he had to speak to the Nashville media, and then fly out to Denver to meet his new teammates and coaches and speak to the Denver media. Through the craziness, always being loyal, Jay gave me a one on one interview in a back room of the Nashville restaurant. In an extreme act of unprofessionalism, I couldn’t help but get a picture taken with him. I probably shouldn’t have done it, and I never do anything like that normally, but I don’t regret it for a second!
Since Denver was so far away, it was hard to cover him as much as I would have wanted. I have the NFL Sunday Ticket, and I haven’t missed a single game of his (not even pre-season). During the off-season I have interviewed him when he would come back home.
I am an enormous sports fan. Obviously, that’s why I chose my career path. My favorite team of all my favorite teams is the Chicago Bears. Since I was a kid, I have lived and died with every single game. I have screamed at the TV and thrown remote controls during losses. I have gone to games at the old and new Soldier Field, and even some Bears road games.
I cannot even begin to explain my elation on April 2, 2009. My man Jay was now on my team! I literally ordered a Cutler Bears jersey that day. That night I also emailed the Bears to find out when I could interview him.
It turned out the first time Jay met the media in a Bears uniform was during an OTA in May. I made the seven hour drive to the Bears practice facility. It was such a sight to see the same kid I had covered since 1998 now in a Chicago Bears uniform.
At Jay Cutler's hometown of Santa Claus, IN 2007There were so many reporters on hand that afternoon. I am not used to that massive media setting at all. I was not sure what to expect. Once, again, Jay gave me a great one on one interview. Despite the craziness of the media circus surrounding him, Jay and I had a great conversation touching on quite a few subjects both on and off camera. We talked a lot about his high school days, and he told me how some of his former Patriot teammates are doing.
To the day I die, I will never understand the insane media scrutiny over Jay’s trade from Denver. I am not naïve enough to think it’s not an enormous story. Of course it is. However, I just cannot fathom how so many national analysts have taken so many shots at him. I guarantee you; none of them have even spent 2 minutes with Jay. Of course I am biased in my opinion of Cutler, but I also know him pretty well. I know for certain he is nothing like some have portrayed him.
The ultimate reply to all of the critics is winning, and if there is one thing I know for sure, Jay Cutler is a winner. I look forward to the day when I continue covering Jay’s journey and interview Jay holding the Lombardi Trophy.
Jay’s Journey will continue with Part II when I take a look at Cutler’s magical high school senior season in which he led his team to the school’s only State Championship. It is a story that is right out of Hollywood that starts with painful losses and ends with a triumphant crazy play in overtime to end a 15-0 season. Click here to read Part II.
Feel free to leave a comment below. If you would like to contact me directly, email me at lancewilkerson@gmail.com.
Reader Comments (11)
Awesome blog post. I can't help but be insanely jealous of you. I hope at some point I get to meet Jay, too. *hint hint*
Hi Lance
That is a great story. Thank you for sharing it! We here at Vandy adore Jay Cutler. He is a class guy! I am thankful that he came here to Vandy! God just works things out like that! I cheer for Jay every weekend!
Fantastic! Its great to see some of this history!
Lance, thanks for the awesome post and sharing this with Jay's fans. I can't wait to read next weeks post. Having Jay as the QB for the best team in the NFL has come as a huge breath of fresh air here! And I too hope to meet Jay in the future.
Great piece! Been a fan of Jay's since Vandy, loved watchin him play when he was with the Broncos, too...
Love it more watchin him play for my team... da bears !! The guy just plays with heart !! That's undenible... it's ashame that a shy kid, as he seems to be, gets pounded so hard in the media, but as you said winning will take care of it all!! Go Cutler and Go BEARS !!!!!!
Great story! Its fun to read a TRUE story in the midst of all the crap out there. Go Bears!
Thank you for the great articles on Jay. Your unique perspective makes for very enjoyable reading! Cutler is the best thing that has happened to the Bears in a long time. I am looking forward to your future articles.
Wow, what a great story Lance! It's nice to hear a personal story about Jay from someone close to him. I've always thought he seemed like a great person no matter what the critics said--this just reiterates it! I have been a broncos and bears fan since I was a kid and have been a fan of Cutler sice he went to Denver. I'm really glad he is still playing for a favorite team of mine! Would love to meet him in person someday! :)
This was a great read! Thank you for sharing this insight into Jay's early career. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Great picture of you two from 2007...just a great picture.
Great blog. Ive been a jay cutler fan since his first snap at vandy and will be flying from south florida to chicago to see the bears beat on the vikings next month. good luck to yourself and jay. And whether his record say it or not JAY CUTLER is a winner.