Jay Cutler has type 1 diabetes

by wyoeng on May 1, 2008 9:25 PM MDT

Below is the Jay Cutler article from 7 news .

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Life as Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler once knew it has changed.

Cutler was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a Broncos source confirmed.

While this is the most serious type of diabetes, making Cutler insulin dependent, the Broncos are confident it will not negatively impact his career performance. Cutler, who could not be reached for comment, has been taking insulin shots since he was diagnosed and has been participating in the Broncos' offseason workout program.

Several athletes have enjoyed long professional careers while playing with Type 1 diabetes, including former big-league baseball stars Ron Santo and Jackie Robinson and hockey's Bobby Clarke. Among the former NFL players who played despite Type 1 diabetes were center Jay Leeuwenburg, who starred at the University of Colorado, quarterback Wade Wilson, and defensive back Mike Echols.

"People need to understand this is very treatable," said a Broncos source. "Jay's going to be fine."

Type 1 diabetes means the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is needed to convert food into energy. Cutler will have to monitor his diet, particularly carbohydrates, and continually monitor his blood-sugar levels, but modern medicine allows people to live long and healthy lives with the disease.

Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes because it was more commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. However, there have been cases where people reached middle age before they were diagnosed. Cutler turned 25 on Monday.

Actress Mary Tyler Moore, 71, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes nearly 35 years ago.

Type 1 diabetics are made aware of the possible long-term affects on the kidney, heart and vision.

The Broncos' No. 1 draft pick in 2006, Cutler started the final five games of his rookie season and all 16 games last year in his second season. The Broncos knew of Cutler's disease before the NFL draft last week but didn't select a quarterback, a sign the team is confident their quarterback has his condition under control.

From ESPN.com --

The 25-year-old Cutler found out about two weeks ago that he was diabetic and needed daily insulin injections, Garafalo told The Associated Press.

Cutler

He said Cutler was managing his disease and "in no way is his football career jeopardized."

Some 21 million Americans have diabetes, meaning their bodies cannot properly turn blood sugar into energy. Either they don't produce enough insulin or don't use it correctly. With the Type 1 form, the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic cells, so that patients require insulin injections to survive.

"It's something that he's dealing with and something a lot of other people have," Garafalo said. "Even though it's a serious condition, it's a condition that can be managed. That's the way he's treating it right now.

"Everything's fine," Garafalo continued. "His condition is fine."

Cutler, entering his third NFL season, threw for 3,497 yards and 20 touchdowns last season after supplanting Jake Plummer with five weeks left in the 2006 season.

The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Cutler was taken by the Broncos with the 11th overall pick of the 2006 draft, becoming the first Vanderbilt player taken in the first round since 1986.

Cutler is expected to address the media on Friday.

Other athletes who have competed with diabetes include Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke, Charlotte Bobcats forward Adam Morrison, golfers Scott Verplank, Michelle McGann and Kelli Kuehne and Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr.

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Comments

I just tried

to post this same story, but I can’t post “fanposts” on the new MHR due to use of Opera as a browser. Anyway, a few things:

1. Why did no one make mention of his birthday Monday?
2. Why is Klis so dumb? I hate that last line of this article.
3. Who are those other people named, and why are they relevant? I only recognize Mary Tyler Moore, and I’m not even old enough to have watched her TV show!

"I could never quite get the hang of Thursdays..."

by FlaBroncoFan on May 1, 2008 9:30 PM MDT reply actions

When Nick at Nite

used to air The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I believe I saw the entire run of the show. I must have been 10 at the time. Don’t know of many 10-year-olds who did that.

Best wishes to Jay, though.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on May 1, 2008 9:41 PM MDT up reply actions

What kind of Opera trouble are you having?

I too use the Best Browser on the Planet, and while I have no problems posting fanshots I have to use firefox to write fanposts. The problem I run into is that the lines don’t justify within the confines of the window, and as a result they ramble off under the sidebar, off the page, etc.

It is possible that if the only problems Opera really runs into are with the fanpost and story tools, the SBNation 2.0 creators might be able to prioritize Opera optimization in that area.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on May 2, 2008 2:12 AM MDT up reply actions

I use Opera too

and while I get that annoying sign saying it’s not supported it actually works fine. The only thing I’ve noticed is that if I click on B or I before I enter the content it puts in only the opening but not the closing tag. If I enter and highlight the word or phrase and then click on B or I it works as it’s supposed to. I can also put in the closing tag myself, of course. I’m not seeing the problem you’re describing, which might be because I’m using Linux or might be because I’m using the most recent version, 9.50 Beta 1. Too often the problems Opera has is due to Microsoft applications producing nonstandard code that only other Microsoft applications can read, which is one of the reasons I won’t use any piece of software Bill Gates has breathed on.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on May 2, 2008 2:38 AM MDT up reply actions

I am sorry to hear this

although it is a treatable/manageable disease. Since it is not something I know a lot about I will just add – Best wishes, Jay.

by MattR on May 1, 2008 9:34 PM MDT reply actions

Good news

While it is a drag to hear that our young hero has this disease, I really want to make clear that this is NOT an issue to be concerned about. It is news, and kudos to Wyoeng for breaking the story to the MHR family.

As reported, the disease is treatable. Not only is it treatable, but it is important to bear in mind that Jay is the property of an organization that has constant access to the best trainers, physicians, dieticians, and other medical resources. Jay himself is a multi-millionaire. Type One Diabetis is treatable for the average joe, and Jay Cutler is no average joe.

He’s in excellent physical shape, and he works for a “company” that won’t let him fail to take good care of himself. Beyond having to administer shots to himself, and watching his diet a little, Jay will have no problems continuing towards legendary status in the NFL.

We should all wish Jay the best, but at the same time there is no reason to lose sleep. He’s fine.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 1, 2008 9:53 PM MDT reply actions

Adam Morrison has diabetes...oh wait, bad comparison

So do a lot of other athletes who get on just fine with the disease. It’s not something I’d want to have to do myself, poking myself, but as we get older we unfortunately get sick and something will probably eventually happen to us, but ENOUGH with that, that’s not something I want to think about right now! Jay will be fine, but our wishes are still with him even if it IS a manageable disease. We love our quarterback.

by phantom818 on May 1, 2008 10:03 PM MDT up reply actions

Off and On

I’ve been in Tae Kwon Do off and on (some in high school, some after grad school.) One of the instructors I’ve had is diabetic…and he still manages to be very active (teaches XML, the gymnastics/martial arts hybrid, etc.) It is something that will change some of Cutler’s patterns and lifestyle, but it is NOT something that would prevent him from having a great NFL career. Modern medicine is an amazing thing!

I’d say “best wishes to Jay”, but that would almost imply I was worried. He’ll be fine, and it will make his upcoming career all the more impressive. :o)

~Uffdah

by Disco_Stu on May 1, 2008 10:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Bobby Clark

One of the best hockey players to ever strap on a pair of skates had it and it sure didn’t hinder his production.

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind. - Emerson

by firstfan on May 1, 2008 11:32 PM MDT reply actions

sad to hear

but everyone is saying it is not as bad as it sounds, but im still hoping for the best for Jay Cutler!! He will throw them bullet passes all day. watch Jay Take over!!
BRONCOS TAKE OVER IN 08! BELIEVE IT, OR GO BE A CHARGER FAN SO WE CAN LAUGH AT YOU WHEN JAY HITS B MARSH IN THE END ZONE BABY!!
I LOVE BEING A BRONCO FAN. BRONCOS AKA THE WARRIORS THAT CANT BE TOUCHED… BELIEVE IT!!!

by Jose6987 on May 2, 2008 6:43 AM MDT reply actions

This may be new motivation for the team

There is nothing you cannot be, there is nothing you cannot do. There is nothing you cannot have.

by sirsam on May 2, 2008 7:03 AM MDT reply actions

He can make it

My grandfather lived with this disease for over 20 years. He passed away, however he did not treat it very seriously for the first few years he had it. So since Jay just found out a few weeks ago I think he’ll be fine as long as he is responsible with his medication. Plus, he’s still young and I’m sure he’s in really good shape. Hopefully this doesn’t affect his football career but more importantly hopefully it doesn’t affect his future as a person. Take care and God bless Jay!

by piggphat on May 2, 2008 8:48 AM MDT reply actions

Welcome aboard!!

Glad to have you, pig. I love the avatar!!!

Thanks for the info. It seems this shouldn’t be a huge impact as long as he stays on top of it…

-TSG

www.milehighreport.com

by John Bena on May 2, 2008 8:58 AM MDT up reply actions

I'm glad that it is treatable and manageable.....

it’s a scary thing to have that. I just hope that he and other people keep tabs on his health. I would hate to see something happen to him on the field that is a result of this condition.

fader nation is a conquered nation

by mdierk on May 2, 2008 9:42 AM MDT reply actions

I wouldn't be at all surprised...

...if one of the trainers checks his blood sugar before and during pracitices and games. Even if his sugar levels are off, they’ll get got caught quickly and he can treat it between plays (but even that’s a stretch). I’m telling you, Jay (and the Broncos) would have to be beyond negligent well beyond imagination for him to have a diabetic attack during a game.

My best friend at my last job (also a Broncos fan) had the same condition. Other than giving himself shots in his abdomen here and there, he said he’d never had a problem that a few snacks couldn’t fix right away.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 2, 2008 9:55 AM MDT up reply actions

I remember...

Adam Morrison shooting up on the sidelines during the NCAA Tournament a few years ago, and former Indians pitcher Jason Johnson wore a monitor on his belt to keep track of his levels while he was pitching…

-TSG

www.milehighreport.com

by John Bena on May 2, 2008 10:01 AM MDT up reply actions

That's a great point Guru

Not only is Jay a responsible young man in great shape with a lot of financial resources, but he’ll also have the resources of the Broncos at hand during games and practices (they go NOWHERE without trainers and other medical staff). He’ll be set up to handle this issue better than virtualy anyone else in the country.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 2, 2008 10:06 AM MDT up reply actions

It's treatable, which is good

but of course we wish Jay the best because he’s our quarterback and we love him. Still tough to have this news during a rotten week for Denver sports—Nuggets out, Avs swept by the Wings, Tulowitzki tore a tendon and is gone until July while the Rockies are well under .500, and now Cutler has a (potentially serious, but won’t be since he has all the needed resources) disease. Sigh. Best wishes Jay…

Mrs. Silverblood Fankles

by Silverblood on May 2, 2008 1:24 PM MDT reply actions

No Prollem

My wife has had type 1 diabetes since she was 18 months old and tells me you can’t beleive the fatigue that comes with low blood sugars. As I said in another comment, I think Jay will be that much better of a player now that he knows about this and can be taken care of the right way. I feel bad for Jay to have to deal with this but it’s really not much of a problem as long as he stays on top of it. It is encouraging to think how well he played last year while dealing with the symptoms of this. Now that he’s aware of what the problem is and can monitor it right, he should be sharper and have more energy on the field. I’m very excited to see him play in 08, I think he’ll be awesome.

by Broncofan on May 2, 2008 2:57 PM MDT reply actions

We're very lucky to have #6 on our side

First time poster here but felt compelled to post something after having just finished watching Jay’s press conference.

All I can say is how lucky this Bronco fan feels to have such a classy professional for our QB. I’m really proud to see how Cutler has handled issues such as taking over as starting QB mid-season in, dealing with immature teammates he cares for like Marshall, and now living with a very real life-change in diabetes. He’s taken on all of this head-on in a professional manner more befitting a 35 year old veteran rather than a third year pro who just turned 25. Hey Rivers, why don’t you buy a pad and pencil and call Jay so you can take some notes? Sorry….I’m obviously still burning over that Xmas Eve game.

Anyway, if you haven’t watched Jay’s press conference, I urge you to watch it on the Broncos website. He’s already incorporated a diabetes charity into his foundation. Hopefully after watching the press conference, you’ll do what I did and take a small percentage from today’s paycheck and send it on over to his foundation.

Go Broncos!

by pshin8670 on May 2, 2008 3:24 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs