Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler arrested for drunk driving and weapons possession in Tennessee

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested for drunk driving and weapons possession

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested in Tennessee on drunken driving and weapons charges after a collision with another vehicle, police confirmed to CBS News on Friday.

Cutler, 41, was arrested on driving under the influence and other charges after a minor traffic accident in downtown Franklin, city police spokesman Max Winitz said. Police confirmed to CBS Chicago that Cutler offered the other driver $2,000 to not report the accident.

Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash around 5 p.m. Thursday and a subsequent investigation revealed that Cutler struck another vehicle from behind, officials said. According to a police report obtained by CBS Chicago, Cutler was driving his white Ram truck and rear-ended the other driver in a midnight blue GMC. He then attempted to flee the scene of the accident before offering the other driver money.

Officials said they smelled alcohol during a conversation with the former NFL quarterback and that Cutler’s eyes appeared “bloodshot,” “glassy” and “dilated.” The officer said he asked Cutler if he had been drinking alcohol and he replied “no.” The police report said the officer informed Cutler that he had “lied.” Cutler then said he had drunk a little alcohol after the officer asked again. Still, he refused to take a field sobriety test, the spokesman said.

Cutler was taken to a local hospital where a blood sample was collected through a blood search warrant, the spokesperson confirmed to CBS News. He had two firearms in his vehicle, including a loaded pistol, the spokesman said.

Cutler was booked into the Williamson County Jail and given a $5,000 bond. He was released later that evening.

Cutler, who played at Vanderbilt University, was selected 11th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Denver and made the Pro Bowl in 2008 before spending most of his career with the Chicago Bears. He played one season in Miami before retiring in 2017.

He was married to reality TV star Kristen Cavallari for seven years. The Laguna Beach graduate and former Chicago Bears quarterback was married in the summer of 2013. The couple announced their divorce in 2020.