PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater coached one year in high school and led his team to a state title before returning to the NFL.
There’s no arguing the impact Bridgewater had on Miami Northwestern High School, his alma mater, in his one year on the sidelines, but that’s nothing compared to doors the Teddy Bridgewater Act will open for all high school coaches and players when Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the measure in to law later this year.
“Those players became my sons and I just wanted to protect them in the best way I can,” Bridgewater said.
Florida’s high school sports governing body said Bridgewater did so by breaking the rules, so the Florida High School Athletic Association suspended Bridgewater, accusing him of providing impermissible benefits to players.
Those benefits were meals for his players and Uber rides home.
On Sunday, Bridgewater appeared on “This Week in South Florida” with Glenna Milberg, celebrating the unanimous passing of the Teddy Bridgewater act.
“It’s awesome to know that everyone in politics has a heart,” he said.
This bill authorizes K-12 head coaches to use $15,000 in personal funds a year to support student athlete welfare.
Not many coaches have that kind of money, though.
“It’s difficult,” said Bridgewater. “For one, high school coaches in the state of Florida are underpaid. They make about $5,800 a year.”
There is a concern that allowing coaches spend their own money will make what is supposed to be an even playing field uneven.
“Not every school has a Teddy Bridgewater who was blessed to play so many years in the NFL,” Bridgewater said. “It’s so hard to just raise $2,000 with the public schools. But, yeah, the playing field is a little more even, but hopefully these coaches, these administrators are using this act to keep the game fair.”
State Sen. Shervin jones pushed the bill through the Florida legislature, which will force the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt the new rules.
As for Bridgewater, he’s still in the NFL, recently signing with Detroit for the upcoming season.
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