The man who could be king hits Chicago

Jay Cutler is embarking on the opportunity of a lifetime, actually of a generation of lifetimes, actually of six decades of lifetimes.

Being a premier athlete in any sport in Chicago is a pot of gold waiting to be snatched at the end of the rainbow.

But being a franchise quarterback here beats them all. Others can be mayor, but only the man under center for the Bears can be king.

"I was shocked," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said Friday of the response to Thursday's trade for Cutler. "It's almost a tsunami-type energy."

One player agent - one who specialized in representing quality NFL quarterbacks - drooled as far back as the 1980s about how great it would be for him to have a franchise quarterback in Chicago.

It was a daydream back then. The Bears hadn't had a franchise quarterback, a perennial all-pro, a future Hall of Famer since the 1940s.

The best of the rest was Jim McMahon, who led the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX and for that became one of America's most recognizable athletes.

McMahon wasn't even in the class of guys like Joe Montana, John Elway and Dan Marino, but the Punky QB was the one that countless advertisers wanted holding up their products.

Despite being a perpetually controversial and occasionally scandalous jerk, McMahon was in demand because he was the quarterback of the champion Chicago Bears.

Cutler doesn't come across as a guy who would be aware of this yet, but this town breeds famous sports figures.

McMahon had to share the wealth with head coach Mike Ditka when it came to national advertising. Then, of course, came the master of them all in Michael Jordan. Sammy Sosa arrived later.

If any one city can match a sports foursome of McMahon, Ditka, Jordan and Sosa for marketability - well, none can, not even New York or Los Angeles.

There's something about us here. The rest of the country likes us and our athletes and our passion and Oprah and Da Mayor.

Now comes Jay Cutler, with endless possibilities awaiting him if he becomes a premier quarterback, helps the Bears become a championship team and rides Lake Michigan's waves to notoriety.

Cutler already took the first step this week, considering the attention he received while divorcing the Broncos and eloping with the Bears.

The Cutler name is known nationally now - for better or worse, for fame or infamy.

Not all the publicity was positive. Most fans dwell on Cutler's athletic ability. Some critics dwell on his alleged fragile emotions.

But it's all good as in, "Call me what you want, just spell the name right?" It's C-u-t-l-e-r.

Seriously, sometimes the impression is a chain-saw murderer would get endorsement offers from hardware stores if he quarterbacked the Bears to prominence.

Win games and all is forgotten. You can be snotty like McMahon and all is forgiven. You can be a public menace and be adored.

At first blush Cutler came across as a decent enough fellow during Friday's introductory news conference. He wore a tie and jacket and made mostly proper comments.

Regardless, if he becomes the franchise quarterback who takes the Bears to the Super Bowl, the label "King Cutler" will suit him just fine.

mimrem@dailyherald.com