Former professional quarterback Jay Cutler, who played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins, found himself at the center of controversy after his recent hunting trip in South Africa.
Cutler hunted and killed a Sable antelope as part of the trip, and while some on social media were impressed and congratulated him, several fans criticised him.
Former NFL QB Jay Cutler Faces Criticism After Recent South African Hunting Trip
On July 12, Cutler posted photographs of himself with the deceased animal on his Instagram account.
“Kicked off the Africa hunt with a beauty,” Cutler captioned his post. “Sable down.”
Jay Cutler under fire for killing Sable antelope in South Africa https://t.co/wACSiIvQsS pic.twitter.com/0nnSulYBIA
— New York Post (@nypost) July 14, 2025
After the images were reshared on X, the former Bears quarterback faced backlash, with several users online wanting the 42-year-old to be “cancelled“.
He should be cancelled.
— David Grassmick (@DavidGrassmick) July 14, 2025
Another fan seemingly took a dig at his NFL career in their response, writing, “If it was Jay Cutler, he was aiming for something else and got intercepted.”
One user wanted to know, “Why would anyone do that?”
Keeping in that theme, this user asked, “Why are you killing these animals whhhhhyyyyyyyyy”
Another user remarked, “Killing animals for fun really is psychotic.”
Killing animals for fun really is psychotic.
— Felt Football (@FeltFootball) July 14, 2025
One of the users expressed their disappointment, “Magnificent creature eliminated for entertainment of rich man. 🥺”
This user commented, “People who hunt for sport are sick in the head and there’s no argument to me otherwise.”
Cutler, who played college football for Vanderbilt University, was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
While he would play the first three years of his NFL career with the franchise, Cutler is primarily known for his time with the Chicago Bears. As of now, he remains the Bears’ franchise leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, attempts, and completions.
He was acquired by the Bears in 2009 in exchange for Kyle Orton, the Bears’ first- and third-round selections in 2009, and a first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Cutler retired from the NFL in 2017 but was convinced to return for an additional season by the Miami Dolphins, who needed a new starter after a devastating injury to Ryan Tannehill. In his final NFL season with the Dolphins, Cutler threw for 2,666 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, along with 14 interceptions.
Additional aspects of Cutler’s personal life have been very public, including his relationship, marriage, and later divorce from reality TV star Kristin Cavallari.
