Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler has been charged with driving under the influence and possession of a handgun following a traffic accident in Franklin, Tennessee. The 41-year-old was arrested after a minor collision and subsequently given a $5,000 bond before being released, as reported by the Franklin Police Department.
Authorities stated that police officers responded to the accident scene where Cutler’s vehicle had rear-ended another vehicle. Upon approaching Cutler, officers detected the smell of alcohol, noted his blood-shot eyes, and observed slurred speech. Despite being asked to undergo a field sobriety test, Cutler refused and was then taken to a hospital where a blood sample was obtained through a search warrant.
Furthermore, during the investigation, the police discovered two firearms in Cutler’s car, including a loaded pistol. In addition to the DUI and handgun possession charges, Cutler also faces accusations of failure to prevent a collision and violating implied consent, all of which are considered misdemeanours or civil offenses under Tennessee law.
Cutler had a successful career in the NFL, playing for 12 seasons and accumulating impressive stats of 35,133 passing yards and 227 touchdowns while representing teams such as Denver, Chicago, and Miami. He called time on his professional football career following the 2017 season with the Miami Dolphins.
Aside from his football accolades, Cutler was previously married to reality TV personality Kristin Cavallari, with the couple announcing their divorce in 2020. This recent legal incident marks a challenging chapter in the former quarterback’s post-NFL life.