I owe Jay Cutler an apology ...
... and I offered him one in today's newspaper in a column that was admittedly difficult to write.
In another column earlier this month about why I thought it was a mistake for the Jets to go after Cutler in a trade with the Broncos, I had mentioned the fact that he had Type 1 diabetes. That, of course, is true, but the bulk of the column was based on my take that it was questions about Cutler's leadership.
There was a fair amount of criticism for me bringing diabetes into the argument, and I received several e-mails from readers, many of whom had their own experiences with diabetes. One reader from Dix Hills shared his personal story of bringing up a child diagnosed with the disease, and it really hit home.
I still contend that Cutler wasn't the right guy for the Jets, but not because he's a diabetic. Which is why I felt, in retrospect, that I shouldn't have even brought the disease into the equation in the first place.
In any event, it's the first and only time I've ever felt compelled to write something like this. Here it is:
I owe Jay Cutler an apology.
And, by extension, I owe anyone else who is afflicted with or affected by Type 1 diabetes - an insidious disease for which there is no cure - that same apology.
Especially people like Dan Schnapp of Dix Hills, Tim McCarthy of Babylon Village, and countless others in their situation. More on them in a bit.
Earlier this month in a column about why I thought it was unwise for the Jets to trade for the former Broncos quarterback, I focused on Cutler's poor handling of the trade rumors that surfaced about him when the Broncos were considering Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel as an option. The vast majority of the column was devoted to the notion that Cutler's lack of maturity ultimately would be an impediment to his career in New York, and that the Jets should steer clear of him.
I also mentioned in the column that Cutler had Type 1 diabetes, although I didn't say outright that the disease should cause the Jets to stay away from him. In fact, Cutler threw for more than 4,000 yards last season after being diagnosed. But the mere mention of diabetes prompted several readers to express their disappointment and in some cases outrage that I'd even brought diabetes in the discussion.
The depth of the reaction really hit home when I received a note from Schnapp.
"What exactly does Mr. Cutler's [diabetic] condition have to do with his overall worth as professional quarterback in the NFL or his ability to succeed whether as the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears or any other organization for that matter?" Schnapp wrote. "Didn't Jay prove to the world just this past season that his disease had no adverse effects at all on his level of play?"
Schnapp then shared a personal story of how diabetes has impacted his family's life.
"I am the father of a nine-year-old girl who was stricken with this devastating disease at the tender age of 13 months," he said. "I have helplessly watched her suffer over the past 8 years enduring daily fluctuations in her blood glucose levels, potentially fatal episodes of hypoglycemia [low blood sugar] and hyperglycemia [high blood sugar], endless finger pricks and infusion catheter site changes for her insulin pump and numerous hospital visits. All the while, my daughter, Jay Cutler and over 3 million additional children and adults living in the United States face an uncertain future with a substantial risk of developing devastating long term complications associated with living with and managing the disease."
Schnapp also noted why it's important to mention people who have diabetes - including Cutler, as well as other famous athletes like hockey's Bobby Clarke, boxing's Joe Frazier and the actress Mary Tyler Moore - in a positive light.
"It's absolutely vital that we empower these individuals and all others afflicted with chronic illnesses, with the confidence and opportunity to excel in all facets of their lives, including sports," he said.
McCarthy agreed, although he doesn't have to look very hard to find his inspiration.
"As the father of a 16-year-old Type 1 diabetic who was diagnosed in a coma at 17 months, I have a world of experience with this," he said. "My daughter Ashley is now the Long Island representative for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). She has gone to Washington and addressed Congress and met with Hillary Clinton to fight for this disease. She is an accomplished swimmer with C.Y.O. records, an 89 GPA at St. John The Baptist High School, altar server for her parish, a member of the Junior Catholic Daughters, Religious Ed assistant for her church and a true friend and leader for her friends and an advocate for the underprivileged with a fierce loyalty to her beliefs who will stand up and fight for what she believes in regardless of the consequences. I believe my wife and I have raised a champion because of her diabetes, not in spite of it."
Schnapp, McCarthy and many others whose lives are directly impacted by diabetes were rightfully offended at the mention of Cutler's disease, and I apologize.
And I thank them.
I thank them for sharing their stories and helping me - and hopefully others - more fully understand why it's so important for everyone to appreciate the gravity of the disease. And, just as importantly, why pointing out examples of those who have persevered and excelled despite diabetes is so important to those whose daily lives are affected by it.
Because of them, there is now one more informed mind - as well as a supporter of the JDRF. I hope there will be more.
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Comments (7)
Bob, I'm glad you were man enough to admit your mistake and apologize. That says a lot, and I bet it is something other reporters might not necessarily had done.
Hopefully you learned something from this, which I uspect from your column that you did, and be a better reporter, and more importantly, person for it.
Famous Athletes with Diabetes
Wasim Akram - Pakistani cricket fast bowler (sidenote by 505 ....WHAT?)
Arthur Ashe - Tennis - Wimbledon winner
Walter Barnes - Football and actor. Before acting career he played professional football for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, 1948-1951.
Sarah Bina - Championship clogger (sidenote by 505....LOVE the cloggers!!)
Ayden Byle - Runner - First insulin-dependent man to run 6521.5 km across North America.
Nick Boynton - Hockey Player - Boston Bruins
Doug Burns – Fitness consultant, Record-holding strength athlete
Sean Busby - Champion Snowboarder
Bobby Clarke - NHL - Philadelphia Flyers
Ty Cobb - MLB - Detroit Tigers
Scott Coleman - Swimmer - first man with diabetes to swim the English Channel, (August 17th 1996)
Jay Cutler - Football Player
Chris Dudley - NBA - New York Knicks center
James “Buster” Douglas - Heavy Weight Boxer
Kenny Duckett - NFL - New Orleans Saints
Rick Dudley - Hockey
Scott Dunton - World Class Surfer
Mike Echols - NFL - Tennessee Titans
Pam Fernandes - Para Olympian
Curt Frasier - NHL - Chicago Black Hawks
Walt Frazier - NBA - New York Knicks
“Smokin’ Joe” Frazier - Boxing
Kris Freeman - Olympic and National Champion Cross-Country Skier
Joe Gibbs - NFL - Washington Redskins coach
Bill Gullickson - MLB - Cincinnati Reds Pitcher
Gary Hall Jr. - US Olympic Gold Medalist, Swimming
Jonathan Hayes - NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs
Dave Hollins - 1993 Phillies World Series Third Baseman
James "Catfish" Hunter - MLB - Pitcher, Baseball Hall-of-Famer
Chuck Heidenrich - Skiing
Chris Jarvis - World Champion Canadian Rower
Jason Johnson - MLB - Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Kelli Keuhne - LPGA golfer
Billie Jean King - Tennis
Jay Leeuwenburg - NFL - Indianapolis Colts Lineman
Michael Earl Malone - Son of former NBA star Moses Malone.
Michelle McGann - LPGA golfer
Adam Morrison - Basketball Player, Gonzaga University
David Pember - MLB - Milwaukee Brewers
Sir Steven Redgrave - Rower - Winner of five consecutive Olympic gold medals
Dan Reichert - MLB - Kansas City Royals
Ham Richardson – Tennis star
Jackie Robinson - Baseball Player
Sugar Ray Robinson - Boxing
Ron Santo - MLB - Chicago Cubs legend
Mike Sinclair - NFL - Philadelphia Eagles
Kendall Simmons - NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers
Hank Stram - NFL - Kansas City Chiefs Coach
Bradley Suttle - Texas Longhorns - Second Baseman
Bill Talbert - Hall of Fame tennis player
Sherri Turner - LPGA golfer
Scott Verplank - PGA golfer
Everson Walls - Football player
Jo Ann Washam - LPGA golfer
David "Boomer" Wells - San Diego Padres Pitcher
Wade Wilson - NFL - Minnesota Vikings Quarterback
No one says that a person with diabetes can't be an athlete. There have been many, and many have excelled.
It is a legitimate issue though, for someone evaluating that player. As would be colorblindness (Testaverde), Crohn's disease (Garrard), alcoholism, being pigeon-toed, etc. These are things that are obstacles that can be overcome, but they are obstacles.
Society is overly sensitive about issues that involve differences. Remember the anti-semetic uproar when Woody Johnson complained about poor scheduling regarding the jewish holidays? He wanted to service his customers and fans, but people who didn't get it talk about how the NFL was rescheduling for the jews. Freaking nonsense.
Bob bringing up the diabetes issue was innocent in his analysis. Had he said something like, "never sign a diabetic QB", then there would be an issue. But as a factor, like being left handed, tall, heavy, etc., its perfectly fine to discuss of a professional athlete, and franky, from what I can see, the uproar was more about people feeling the issue wasn't understood and their own personal connection to it, (lots of parents of diabetic children writing from what I saw) then it was Bob being in the wrong by discussing it.
Bob was a gentleman. He meant no offense, and apologized to those who may have taken offense. I contend it wasn't necessary, but appreciate that Bob Glauber is the type of man who does what he thinks is right, and is considerate of others.
I am kind of enjoying these Islander505-esque rants... I need to work on my imagery and flow though, I think...
Perhaps 505 would be good enough soon, if he finds a topic to his liking, to go on one of his classic rants, so I can have another model to work off of.
The issue with Cutler isn't that he has diabetes, but that he drinks alcohol and parties heavily, something that people with diabetes aren't supposed to do. Don't feel sorry for Cutler because he has diabetes. Feel sorry for him because he's an immature, arrogant jerk who puts himself before the team.
Greetings Bob!
As a part-time commentor to your blog, I would like weigh in on
this subject. My 5-year old son Vincent was diagnosed with
type-1 diabetes this past January (he has also overcome 6 hours
of open heart surgery when he was 7 days old). I am also a
passionate NY Giant fan (you already knew that!).
I could not agree more with LTmeans. An organization has to
consider the medical complications that this disease can cause
an athlete, especially in these days of multi-million dollar
contracts.
I also want to thank you for the article, and not from the apology
stanpoint, which I personally feel was not necessay. My thanks
is for the awareness you will raise on this disease by writing
about it. Diabetes is sometimes looked on as a "oh, that's too
bad..............so did you watch the Emmys last night?" type
of disease by those who do not have to deal with it. By having a
well respected and popular sportwriter devote his column to the
subject, a wider range of individuals know just a little bit more
about the disease than the previous day. And that is all the
diabetic "family" can ask for!
LT...
Did you miss last Monday's edition?
http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/football/bob_blog/2009/04/draft_could_go_in_prime_time_l.html
That rant generated an e-mail from old an buddy (who occasionally claims to be my father), who reads this blog regularly, is quite capable of similar styled rants but is too cowardly to tap the keyboard and lambasted me for "going over the top" and being "pedantic" with that rant.
OUCH...
(I'm guessing he wishes he had Mel Kiper's hair).
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