Types of Champions: Jay Cutler
Bodybuilding is a multi-billion d
ollar a year industry, with supplements, online and print media coverage, contests, seminars, and expos. There's clothing, DVDs, major motion pictures (e.g. Pumping Iron, Generation Iron). From members-only websites to Pay-Per-View, there are legions of fans throughout the world with an insatiable interest in muscle. And the physiques have certainly run the gamut, from ultra-ripped of the Golden Era to the larger-than-life mass monsters of today.
But one thing's for certain, no matter who has competed or gone to a show, no matter what language you speak or how much money's in your pocket, every fan of bodybuilding knows the name of the current Mr. Olympia. It's both code and secret handshake wrapped into one. When you go to church you talk about God, but when you think bodybuilding, you think Mr. O.
People often call the Mr. Olympia "the ambassador of bodybuilding". Some say it as if it were cliché, part of some script of empty rhetoric, fluff for small talk. But few actually realize the impressive good will that each of the thirteen champions have contributed over the past half-century.
It's a title that distinguishes its recipient for the rest of his life. It doesn't matter if the person has won one or eight, they are part of an exclusive class that most of us can't even dream of.
But with that incredible honor comes a great deal of pride – pride for the legacy and pride for the title. As a fan, I want to see a Mr. Olympia who protects his name and likeness as much today as in the years leading up to now; I want to know that he competes out of love for the sport and that he always brings his best. But a Mr. Olympia also has to act with respect for the title and for his fellow champions. Put into practice, the title is only as good as the champion.
Over the years, we've seen two, maybe three types of champions. We've seen the type that fights without ever giving up, win the title, but choose to retire upon defeat, the emergence of an overwhelming rival, or injury.
Another type of champion, fights his way to the top, wins, but is content to continue on as one of the best in the world, although not #1.
Finally, there's a third type of champion that's basically delusional – competing only to win, failing at that, and getting worse placings with each year on the stage.
Jay Cutler, the perennial und
erdog, the class act, 4X Mr. Olympia and 3X Arnold Classic champion stood against the Great Ronnie Coleman, defeating him in 2006 and denying him his 9th consecutive Sandow. He held off Victor Martinez in 2007, lost the title in 2008 and regained it in 2009, making history again. In 2010 he edged his protégé, Phil Heath, but in 2011 he lost the title due to an injury. While most believed he was done, Cutler returned two years later to place in the Top 6.
Without confirming or dismissing his retirement, the one-time underdog, now heralded as the greatest bodybuilder of his generation – a generation that includes 8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, has left his future competitive plans unknown. What type of champion is Cutler and what will 2014 hold? This is a fan's assessment.
Remember how I talked about pride for the legacy, pride for the title? A Mr. Olympia retires on stage, at least he should if he can. Ronnie Coleman retired in 2007 after placing 4th, and Jay Cutler could have done so in Vegas, his hometown, after placing 6th just a few days ago. But retirement clearly wasn't on his mind, even backstage.
Jay respects both his legacy and the title far too much to retire via a magazine or website interview; he would never announce such a decision at a guest posing appearance or through a social media tweet or status update. The fans have been loyal to Jay, and he has always treated the fans with love and respect. This relationship demands a very special farewell. This is why I believe Cutler has at least one more year as a competitor. If he retires, it will be in Vegas (his hometown) before the Olympia audience – nowhere else.
So now that farewell is off the table, I look to an interview that Jay did for NPC News Online backstage. During the interview, Jay says that he "will only train to win a show." He says that those that placed ahead of him were deservingand that he didn't know what else he could have done for this contest.
We know he was gunning for the Sandow. If he competed in 2013 to win, what's to say he won't in 2014, 2015 or beyond? He's 40, so what? Dexter is 43 and took 5th. Age is just a number, especially when we're talking about the heart of a champion.
The better question is, what type of a champion is Cutler? Is he the type to retire solely because he can no longer be #1? Is he the type to continue on, being one of the best in the world? Or will he compete to the point he's a non-factor, forcing himself into obscurity?
I think it's safe to say Cutler will never allow himself to be a has-been. But at 40, he still has at least 3-4 more years where he could be a Top 6 powerhouse. He didn't come in at his best – he recognizes that. At 245lbs. and sidelined for two years by an injury, Cutler making Top 6 is a feather in his cap – by no means a disappointment. He was honored to be asked to remain on stage and he was deserving of the respect shown to him by Shawn Rhoden and Dennis Wolf. Let's also remember that a torn triceps was the needle that broke Dorian's back. For Cutler, his torn biceps was a call to arms.
Cutler isn't Coleman.
Ronnie only kne
w how to be #1 after 1998 – he was, after all, the best! He never fully accepted his loss at the 2002 GNC Show of Strength or at the 2005 Olympia Challenge Round; and his loss to Cutler in 2006 was by such a razor-thin margin, that he felt compelled to return in 2007. When you're #1 for so long, uninterrupted, it must be unfathomable to merely be 'one of the best.' It must be like tunnel vision – there’s you and then there's everybody else.
Jay has something many other multi-Olympia champions didn't have during their heyday – humility. He didn't reign uninterrupted; he wasn't ever the undisputed best. He cut his teeth in 2001, but rather than mope and whine about alleged injustices, he took defeat as a challenge and constantly improved.
To some, during the Coleman reign, it was inconceivable for anyone to topple The Big Nasty. There was just no questionwho would triumph. But Cutler not only defeated his rival, he made history by denying him his 9th Sandow. He'd later lose his title and make history by regaining it. He defeated and lost to his protégé, and in both situations showed him the kind of respect that was never shown to him. Cutler may have numerous ventures, the fast cars, the big house, but at heart he's still a humble, blue collar bodybuilder from Massachusetts.
I have a feeling Mr. Cutler will be with this sport – on stage (not as an MC) for many years to come. One year he might place Top 6, another year Top 5, and another year... he might win his fifth Sandow. You never know with Jay Cutler!
Note to Reader:
While Jay never wanted 2013 to be considered a "comeback," I hardly think it represents his true potential. The Jay Cutler Standard has been set by his showing in 2009 - not so long ago. When I think of Cutler, I think of this look; others think of '06 or '01. But one thing's for sure, '01, '06, or '09 - all decisively beat this year's Top 6. So let me reiterate, Cutler isn't going anywhere!! Keep the faith!
