Jay Cutler: Welcome to the club continued

November 22, 3:09 PMDenver Diabetes ExaminerTyler McNally

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Cutler dodges a defenseman and high glycemic foods
(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Part 2:

Jay Cutler was recently faced with the same ultimatum. I’m hoping for the sake of his teammates, his city and most importantly, for himself, Jay Cutler can have the strength to view his new condition in the positive way that so many of us in the same boat have chosen to. I for one, think he’ll be ok. In a May 16, 2008, interview with Yahoo! Sports, Cutler was quoted, "This goes everywhere with me. The first thing I do in the morning is test myself to see where I am, and it's the last thing I do before I go to bed. This whole thing is a little scary sometimes, but it's not like you have a choice. It's part of your life, you know?"

There is also a delicate balance that I feel Jay will be presented with when dealing with his disease. I’m not in the public domain, far from it actually, but Jay Cutler is always in the media.  I’m not quoted in the sports sections on Monday morning. Jay Cutler is. I don’t have a barrage of assistants or managers to remind me of public appearances. Jay Cutler does.

I would hope that along with these responsibilities and resources at Jay’s (newly pricked) fingertips, he takes full advantage of how much good can come of a public figure putting the spotlight on our shared disease. Be an advocate, Jay. Be a role model for young diabetic athletes. Be strong for yourself and your team in the face of adversity. And believe me, friend, strength in the face of diabetes is the only way to cope.

There are a countless many other celebrities, singers, actors, intellectuals and average Joes who wake up with the courage to take shots, poke fingers, give blood tests, keep meticulous records and live a long and fulfilling life. Jay Cutler now joins our elite group of diabetic overachievers with more support and knowledge than I ever thought possible 11 years ago.

And if he’s as dedicated to diabetes as he is on the field and vice versa, there is nothing we have to worry about, Denver. Be proud of our famous diabetic and give him the support he needs.

Related links:

Part 1 of Jay Cutler: Welcome to the club