March 9, 2016
Former Vanderbilt football great Jay Cutler will be honored during halftime of the Black & Gold Spring Game on Friday, March 25.
Cutler, entering his 11th season in the National Football League, will be recognized for his inclusion in the 2015 Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame class. Cutler’s NFL obligations are expected to keep him from attending the induction dinner, which has been rescheduled to Sept. 2 after winter storms postponed the original Jan. 22 date.
Cutler, preparing for his eighth year as the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback, said he was looking forward to the ceremony and seeing Derek Mason’s Commodores in action.
“I’m looking forward to being in Nashville and back on campus, and I appreciate everything Coach Mason and his staff have planned,” Cutler said from his Chicagoland residence. “I’m especially looking forward to seeing how the Commodores are progressing this spring.”
Mason believes the recognition will serve as an ideal opportunity for fans to come out and show their appreciation for Cutler, who concluded a sensational career on West End by guiding the Commodores to a 28-24 road win over Tennessee on Nov. 19, 2005 in his final appearance.
“I greatly appreciate Jay’s support and I’m very happy that he plans to be a big part of our spring game,” Mason said. “More than anything, I really hope Commodore fans come out and show their appreciation for one of the best to ever wear a Vanderbilt uniform. Jay deserves a tremendous reception from our fans.”
The Black & Gold Spring Game, will be held on Friday night for the first time in recent memory. The game, which features free admission, kicks off at 6 p.m., in Vanderbilt Stadium.
An assortment of fan activities, part of a `Dynamite Night’ promotion is scheduled outside the stadium starting at 3 p.m. The block party concept features live entertainment, interactive activities and inflatable attractions for kids, food trucks and a Vandyville tailgate area on Jess Neely Drive, which will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Cutler’s final performance against the Volunteers capped a remarkable four-year career as Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback. As a senior, Cutler earned unanimous Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors after throwing for 3,073 yards and 21 touchdowns. Cutler was at his best in his final four games as a Commodore, amassing 1,410 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes.
By the time Cutler graduated from Vanderbilt, he owned virtually every team career passing mark, including 9,953 yards of total offense, 59 touchdown passes, 8,697 passing yards, 710 completions and 76 combined touchdowns.
Cutler was selected as the 11th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. As a starter in Chicago and Denver, he has accumulated 204 touchdown passes and 31,408 passing yards.
Besides Cutler, the 2015 Hall of Fame class includes Charley Horton, football; Marina Alex, women’s golf; Cathy Bender, women’s basketball; Jeff Fosnes, men’s basketball; David Price and Larry Schmittou, baseball; Aleke Tsoubanos, women’s tennis; and Stella Vaughn, administration.
