What is happening to the Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler reminds many of the criticism LeBron James heard following the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss to the Boston Celtics in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals.

It was either the elbow that changed the way James played, or he quit, as many believe.

In the NFC Championship game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, not only did Cutler not play well, but he left the game due to a knee injury. He made an attempt in the second half but said he couldn't really plant and throw.

That was not enough for Chicago fans (who burned his jersey following the game) or for several current and former NFL players.

On the NFL Network, Deion Sanders said there's a difference between perception and reality and the perception is that Cutler just quit.

Here's a few responses on Twitter:

“Im telling u in the playoffs u must drag me off the field. All the medicine in pro lockerooms this dude comes out! I apologize bear fans! . . . Folks i never question a players injury but i do question a players heart." Deion Sanders, former NFL great.

“If I’m on chicago team jay cutler has to wait till me and the team shower get dressed and leave before he comes in the locker room!” Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett

“Hey I think the urban meyer rule is in effect right now. When the going gets tough……..QUIT.” Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

Jones tweeted later: “All I’m saying is that he can finish the game on a hurt knee … I played the whole season on one.”