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CBS News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Support swells for ex-NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after high school coaching suspension over donations
An outpouring of support is building around former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after he was suspended from his coaching position at Miami Northwestern Senior High School — his alma mater. The decision came after Bridgewater reportedly violated state athletic rules by spending thousands of dollars of his own money to support the football team, which won the Class 3A state championship last season. Bridgewater, who has been leading the Bulls both on and off the field, posted on Facebook last week asking for donations to help fund the program. In the post, he outlined more than $100,000 in expenses he covered for his players. That included a $14,000 training camp, $1,500 a week in meals, and $700 a week for transportation costs to get players to practice. He made it clear these were not school requirements, but his contributions to support the team. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association, coaches are not permitted to provide what are considered "impermissible benefits." In response, Miami Northwestern suspended Bridgewater. Bridgewater pushed back publicly, stating on social media, "You can't suspend someone who doesn't work for you," and vowed to stay involved with the team regardless. Monique Barley, a parent and proud alum of the school, said Bridgewater was simply filling the gaps where the system falls short. "With him closing that gap of making sure that the students have a way to get to practice, pre-game meals—I don't think he did anything wrong," she said. Starex Smith, former director of parks and recreation for Miami Gardens and a longtime friend of Bridgewater, echoed that sentiment. "What Teddy is doing is not new. It's been a legacy of our community for decades," Smith said. "And all of a sudden because it's him, it's this really big deal. I think that sends a bad message to people who have good hearts." Smith said Bridgewater has a long history of generosity, citing instances where he covered entire registration fees for youth sports programs during his tenure as director. "That wasn't an easy feat. You have hundreds of kids out there, year after year," he said. The Miami-Dade County school district issued a statement standing by FHSAA rules, saying it remains committed to upholding athletic standards across all its programs. Still, many in the community feel the suspension is unjust and highlights a deeper issue—especially when private schools operate under different rules. "The rules need to change," Smith said. "The most talented kids are going to private schools, and private schools don't have to abide by any of these rules." Bridgewater's supporters say his actions were rooted in love and service, not rule-breaking. Despite the setback, the former quarterback posted that he's not going anywhere—and if he can't coach on the field, he'll volunteer from the bleachers.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Teddy Bridgewater earns national praise after shocking Florida school punishment
Teddy Bridgewater earns national praise after shocking Florida school punishment (Image Via X) In Miami, Florida, Teddy Bridgewater is making headlines again. Not for his NFL career, but for what he did as a high school coach. Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his coaching position at Miami Northwestern Senior High School on July 14, 2025. The only reason: He paid for rides, meals, and recovery services for his student-athletes during the 2024 season, in effort to help kids and that's it. That same act earned a suspension from an athletic department. However, instead of being condemned by the public or football world, Teddy Bridgewater is being applauded by NFL players, coaches, and fans across America. Teddy Bridgewater suspended after helping student-athletes with personal funds Miami Northwestern High School publicly announced the suspension of Teddy Bridgewater, 32, when he discovered that he had been suspended for saying that he financially supported the team. The public announcement of his suspension from the team took place on July 14, 2025, after the FHSAA investigated and went through all of the proper protocol. — _mlfootball (@_mlfootball) Teddy Bridgewater gave his players Uber rides, food before games, and recovery tools, and he paid for all of these things personally out of his own pocket. He stated these things on Facebook, saying,'I've always done what's right for the kids. I don't regret a thing.' Although not officially on school payroll, he was still suspended for violating the FHSAA's rules on providing benefits. Bridgewater had led the team to a state title in 2024 and returned to the NFL with the Detroit Lions for the 2023 season. His coaching role was something he took seriously, often calling it his 'real purpose' after football. Also Read: Teddy Bridgewater Suspension Sparks Outrage After Selfless Act To Help Struggling Players Teddy Bridgewater receives public support from NFL stars and fans Following the suspension, many NFL figures stood up for Teddy Bridgewater. Former wide receiver Chad Johnson posted on X, 'That's not a violation, that's love.' Robert Griffin III also said, 'You don't punish love and leadership.' Shannon Sharpe called the punishment a 'slippery slope,' warning that rules like this could stop athletes from giving back to their communities. Fans online also defended Teddy Bridgewater. One comment read, 'How can helping kids ever be wrong?' On social media, hashtags like #LetTeddyCoach started trending. Though suspended, Teddy Bridgewater shared that he still plans to support the team however he can even from the stands. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Broncos starting quarterback suspended from current high school job
Former Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has found himself on the wrong side of the news headlines as it was reported on Monday that he has been suspended from his job as a high school head football coach. Bridgewater is the current head coach at Miami Northwestern (FL) High School and is preparing to enter his second season in that role. Last year, he went 12-2 before leading his team to the FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Following the season, he was brought back to the roster of the Detroit Lions for the team's playoff run. Advertisement The suspension stems from Bridgewater paying for the player's Uber rides out of his own pocket, something he admitted himself in a post on Facebook. That opened an investigation, and it was determined that he provided impermissible benefits. It's unclear how long the suspension will last, but according to another post made by Bridgewater, he clearly disagrees with the decision. Bridgewater spent just one season in Denver, beating out Drew Lock for the starting job in 2021. He went 7-7 as the team's starter and threw for 3,052 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was injured and suffered a concussion on this play late in the season against the Cincinnati Bengals and never played another down as the Broncos' quarterback. Advertisement That offseason, the team decided to go in a different direction, trading for Russell Wilson to pair with new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. MORE BRONCOS CONTENT Two of the best defensive players in Broncos history are still searching for a job Broncos draft pick still looking for a job deserves an invite to training camp Broncos need young player to step up and knock this veteran off the 53-man roster Broncos have two major items to cross off checklist before start of training camp Broncos predicted to sign 31-TD running back to massive free-agent deal in 2026
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Teddy Bridgewater says he has been suspended by Miami HS he coached to state title
Former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended as the head football coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School, Bridgewater confirmed on social media on July 13. The suspension comes less than a week after Bridgewater detailed in a Facebook post, in which he was asking for donations for the program, that he spent $2,200 per week to feed his players pregame meals, $14,000 to conduct a training camp, $9,500 for uniforms, $1,300 a week for recovery services for players, $300 a week to keep the team's field painted and $700 for Uber rides. Advertisement Bridgewater alleged that administrators at Northwestern 'want me gone apparently.' 'The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you,' Bridgewater wrote. 'So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE. And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.' REQUIRED READING: NFLPA leaders deny asking for Lloyd Howell's resignation, express support The Florida High School Athletic Association confirmed to USA TODAY that it sent the allegation of impermissible benefits to Miami Northwestern and is "communicating with the school to gather information.' FHSAA rules state that 'no school employee, athletic department staff member, or representative of a school's athletic interests…may form, direct, offer, provide, or otherwise engage in any activity outlined' in the organization's bylaw governing amateurism and name, image and likeness. Advertisement In his first season as head coach, the 32-year-old Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern to a Class 3A state championship in Florida, with the Bulls winning each of their playoff games by at least 40 points. A former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater played in the NFL for 10 seasons, from 2014-23, before retiring after the 2023 season. He briefly came out of retirement to join his former team, the Detroit Lions, late last December for their final two regular-season games and their divisional round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. He resumed his role as Miami Northwestern's coach shortly after that run. Bridgewater finished his NFL career with 15,120 passing yards, 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions while completing 66.4% of his passes. He was a Pro Bowler in 2015 after leading the Vikings to the playoffs, but suffered a catastrophic knee injury during a preseason practice in 2016 that nearly required his leg to be amputated and altered the trajectory of his career. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teddy Bridgewater suspended by Miami high school he led to state title
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'World sucks': Teddy Bridgewater suspended for helping his players and fans are furious
Teddy Bridgewater suspended by Miami Northwestern for providing 'impermissible benefits' to players. (Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) In a move that's left fans both heartbroken and furious, former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended from his job as head coach of Miami Northwestern High School not for misconduct or rule-breaking in the traditional sense, but for helping his players. According to multiple reports, Bridgewater paid out of his own pocket for Uber rides, team meals, and recovery services during the 2024 season. Now, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is investigating, and the decision to sideline him has sparked widespread outrage. Teddy Bridgewater suspended for helping his players with food and rides Bridgewater reportedly spent nearly $14,000 of his own money last season to make sure his players got to practices and games, had something to eat, and recovered properly from injuries. He even went on Facebook in the offseason to ask for community donations, hoping to support the team again this year. His generosity, however, triggered an FHSAA probe. The organization flagged these as 'impermissible benefits', a term used for any coach-funded support that could be interpreted as an unfair recruiting advantage. As a result, Miami Northwestern placed him on administrative suspension while the state continues its review. Bridgewater says he'd coach from the stands if he has to Teddy isn't denying any of it, in fact, he's the one who self-reported everything. In interviews, he's made it clear his only goal is to uplift his players, many of whom come from challenging backgrounds. Despite the suspension, he's vowed to stay involved, even joking that he'd be happy to "coach from the bleachers" if that's what it takes. 'I'd still show up for them even if I couldn't stand on the sideline,' Bridgewater told supporters. Fans say this is everything that's wrong with youth sports Social media exploded once the news broke. Supporters across the country from NFL fans to high school athletes are calling the suspension 'ridiculous', 'tone-deaf', and 'punishing someone for being a good man.' Former players have pointed out that for many of these kids, a ride to practice or a hot meal isn't a luxury, it's survival. The FHSAA is still conducting its investigation, and it's unclear how long the suspension will last or what consequences, if any, Bridgewater or the school will face. For now, he's off the field but not out of the picture. Teddy Bridgewater might've lost his coaching title temporarily but he's gained something arguably bigger: the respect of an entire community. In a system where rules often come before reality, he chose to put his players first. And in the eyes of many, that's the kind of leadership youth football desperately needs more of not less. Also read - Viral police report claims Quinshon Judkins punched woman in the face during car ride For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
