Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has hit a bump in his coaching journey. Recently, he was suspended from his role as a high school football coach in Miami for allegedly giving players improper benefits.
Bridgewater, 32, acknowledged the suspension in a Facebook post. He expressed his loyalty to his alma mater, stating that he’s committed to Miami Northwestern. He pointed out a curious detail: “It’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you,” meaning if he’s suspended from this school, he could coach elsewhere. However, he made it clear he has no plans to leave. “I’ll volunteer from the bleachers if I need to, just like in 2018 and 2019 when it wasn’t an issue,” he added.
In his first season as head coach, Bridgewater led the team to a Class 3A state title. After his coaching stint, he returned to the NFL in December to back up Jared Goff with the Detroit Lions. Though he didn’t see regular-season action, he completed one pass in the playoffs.
Earlier this month, Bridgewater shared on social media that he had been covering costs for things like Uber rides, meals, and recovery services for his players. In his post regarding the suspension, he mentioned that he had self-reported these payments to Miami Northwestern.
The Florida High School Athletic Association is now looking into the matter further.
Bridgewater’s career in the NFL spanned six teams from 2014 to 2024, where he recorded over 15,000 passing yards and 75 touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 after a standout season with the Minnesota Vikings.
This situation sheds light on the ongoing scrutiny regarding benefits provided to student-athletes. In recent years, there’s been a push for clearer rules and regulations in high school sports, especially considering the evolving landscape of college athletics. Overall, Bridgewater’s case reflects the challenges many coaches face in balancing support for their players with compliance to regulations.
For more insights into the rules surrounding student-athlete benefits, you can read about the recent changes from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
