The Jackie Gleason Syndrome

The talk is already all over sports radio about Jay Cutler. He recently gave an interview where he seemed much more personable, much more honest, much more funny, than he has in the past. In a nutshell: he seemed humble. It must be remembered that Cutler took a beating after last years championship playoff  game when he limped off the field. Some in the media , and, in the public forum, questioned whether he was really hurt. Some wondered if he was being a crybaby because he had a terrible game. It turned out he was, in fact, hurt and was physically incapable of finishing the game. That didn't satisfy a lot of Cutler haters [ including many close friends of mine]. Jay Cutler inspires an intense feeling from fans: either you like him or you hate him.... Now I like Jay Cutler as a player. I do not know him as a person away from the football field. He may be petulant. He may be an unpleasant and spoiled and a selfish human being. He also may be a shy, generous, gregarious, wonderful guy. I don't know. Neither does the public that watches him either. It is not important to know whether he is a decent person. Because the only thing that counts in a public figure is whether they produce results for us. There is no other reason to be concerned with Jay Cutler other than he wins every game the Bears play. I call this way of thinking ''The Jackie Gleason Syndrome.''... The legendary Jackie Gleason was a certified comic genius. A big, loud, talented, force of nature. He created some of the most memorable characters ever on TV-- and, in movies. ''The Honeymooners'', which was based on his experiences growing up poor in Bensonhurst, New York, has been called the perfect TV show [ that is the 39 filmed episodes, not the grainy  episodes from his TV show]. Gleason was a big liver both on and off the stage. The stories about him are legendary. However, this man of incredible charisma and abundant talent was, by most accounts, not a nice person much of his life. His ego was monstrous. He was temperamental and demanding. He could be petty and shallow. He was an absentee father and a wayword husband. To be fair, some friends say he had his good side too. He could be generous and charming and quite sweet. This type of character is so common in show business, and, in all aspects of public and personal life, that it is hardly earthshattering to say these things. But, the key for me about someone like Gleason is I didn't have to interact with him on a daily basis. I never met him, so, my relationship with him is judged by how well he entertained me. And, in that regard, he was a success and a friend... The same thing applies to Jay Cutler. I don't ever  expect to have personal contact with him. I do not care what he says and does, as long as he isn't hurting anybody, his actions don't concern me. But, for much of the public there always seems to be the feeling that we have to LIKE them. It doesn't go hand to hand with their job performance, but, some people believe it does. A few years ago, Dan Hampton of the 85 Bears, was doing a personal appearance by me. I didn't know he was suppossed to be there until I got to the store. There was a line to get his autograph. I am not much for autographs-- I would rather shake the persons hand than get a signature on paper--but, it was my buddy Robs' birthday, so I got in line for him. Hampton couldn't have been nicer. In fact, he stayed longer than he was scheduled because he didn't want people to be disappointed. I shook his hand, got the autograph for my buddy, and, was on my way. I was happy that he seemed nice. But, I didn't fool myself into thinking I knew him to be a nice guy. A couple of seconds of contact doesn't give you a reading on someone. He could have left and went him to pet his dog, or, to kick it. The point is, it doesn't matter what Hampton is like in reality. The Dan Hampton who did matter to me played on those great 80's Bears teams. He and his fellow Bear teammates took me away from the pressures of life for a few hours. That is all I ask from entertainment. People forget that sports is entertainment like movies and music. Funny, but, when you see a bad movie or hear a bad song, nobody goes out and attacks the performer and boo them for putting out an inferior product. Yet, with sports, that is common... So, as Jay Cutler and the Bears start what hopes to be a fun and winning season I will be rooting for Cutler, the performer, to succeed. After the game is over, Jay Cutler, the private person, can go on with his life without any thought of him from me. Because all that is really important for me is whether he hit the open man.