Wedding season for athletes

Kristin Cavallari has Jay Cutler wrapped around her finger.

When last we heard from Jay Cutler, he was choking back tears after the Bears lost the NFC championship to the Packers.

Fast forward five months: Cutler is probably crying again, this time happy tears after getting engaged to starlet Kristin Cavallari in Cabo San Lucas. We imagine the exchange went a little smoother than another time the reality TV star was in Cabo. You may remember Stephen Colletti’s infamous tirade: “You look real good! Keep dancing on the bar, slut!” aimed at his ex-girlfriend during their “Laguna Beach” days.

Cutler and Cavallari have been dating eight months, and they’re just one of several couples who we could see tie the knot this summer:

Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian: The power forward was a non-entity prior to this season, but he’s had the best year of his career (averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds in only 27 minutes per game) and may actually be a coveted free agent this offseason because of his affinity for garbage work inside. If the Nets don’t keep him, will Kardashian?

Gerard Pique and Shakira: The Spanish soccer player met the singer at the World Cup in 2010, and it took her nearly a year before confirming that they were dating.

Maria Sharapova and Sasha Vujacic: Two Nets on any list is absurd, considering how terrible they are, but their sharpshooter got engaged to the (former?) tennis star in October. Based on the tennis season and the NBA season, I’d take a guess at an early October wedding.

Derek Jeter and Minka Kelly: His on-field career is dipping, but he’s always been consistently great off it. So few athletes go out on top, but Jeter could do that – if he retires after this season with Kelly on his arm.

Elisha Cuthbert and Dion Phaneuf: His Maple Leafs missed the NHL playoffs, and her new TV show (“Happy Endings,” it’s OK, at best) is probably going to get cancelled soon. They’ll have all summer to ponder the next step.

–Jason Raj McIntyre covers athletes off the field and runs the popular blog, TheBigLead.com

Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages. Opposing viewpoints are welcome. Send 300-word submissions to letters@metro.us.