Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater Suspended from Miami Northwestern High School Coaching

Teddy Bridgewater, a former NFL quarterback and current head football coach at Miami Northwestern High School, has been suspended by the school amid an investigation by the Florida High School Athletic Association for providing impermissible benefits to his players. Bridgewater personally covered expenses such as Uber rides, pre-game meals, recovery services, and field maintenance, and later sought community fundraising to sustain these costs. Despite the suspension, Bridgewater insists he will remain involved with the team, even volunteering from the stands if necessary, and disputes the authority of the school to suspend him since he claims he does not work for them. Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern to a Class 3A state championship in his first season and continues to be active in the NFL, recently participating in the Detroit Lions’ playoff run. The suspension has sparked debate given Bridgewater's efforts to support and uplift his players, with uncertainty surrounding the length and enforcement of the suspension. This situation illustrates the complex rules around benefits in high school athletics and the challenges faced by former professional athletes transitioning into coaching roles.