Teddy Bridgewater’s Suspension
Teddy Bridgewater, the former NFL quarterback, has faced a suspension from his role as head coach of the Miami Northwestern high school football team due to accusations of providing unauthorized benefits to his players. At 32 years old, Bridgewater publicly announced his suspension via a Facebook post over the weekend, asserting his dedication to the school he once attended.
Details of the Suspension
In his message, he expressed that while the suspension was technically enforced by Miami Northwestern, he believes it is ineffective since he claims he is not officially employed by the school. Bridgewater stated,
“If I’m suspended from MNW, I’m free to go to another school of my choice, but I’m not going anywhere.”
He reminisced about his previous experience in 2018 and 2019, mentioning his willingness to assist the team as a volunteer if necessary.
Coaching Achievements
In just his first season coaching in 2024, Bridgewater successfully led Miami Northwestern to clinch a Class 3A state title. This recent coaching endeavor came after a short return to the NFL where he acted as a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions, mainly supporting starter Jared Goff. Although he did not feature in any regular-season games, he did complete one pass for three yards during the playoffs against the Washington Commanders.
Unauthorized Benefits and Investigation
Earlier this month, Bridgewater acknowledged in a post that he financed various expenses for his players, including Uber rides and meals. He even appealed to fans for donations to help cover these costs moving forward. Following the revelation, he claimed to have voluntarily reported these payments to Miami Northwestern. On Monday, the Florida High School Athletic Association notified Rivals that they are currently investigating the matter further.
Bridgewater’s NFL Career
Bridgewater’s professional career in the NFL spanned from 2014 to 2024, during which he played for six different teams. He maintains a career record of 33 wins and 32 losses, with notable achievements including over 15,000 passing yards and 75 touchdowns, along with a Pro Bowl selection during an impressive 2015 season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he helped lead the team to an 11-5 record.
