Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is preparing for another season behind starter Jared Goff, but just got some unusual news out of his home state.
As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, the state of Florida passed a new law based on an incident that Bridgewater faced while serving as a football coach at his alma mater. The new law — named after Bridgewater — will clear the way for coaches to personally help their players and exonerates Bridgewater from punishment he had faced for doing so.
Teddy Bridgewater Act Goes Into Effect
As The Associated Press noted, Bridgewater had lost his position as head coach when it was revealed that he paid out of pocket to help out some of his student-athletes.
“The Bridgewater Act is named for the Florida native and longtime NFL quarterback who coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High, to a state championship in 2024,” the report noted. “But he was suspended for the 2025 season after revealing that he personally paid for meals, ride-share services and treatments for some players.”
Bridgewater had spoken out in the past, saying he was only trying to help the athletes living in an area of high poverty and crime in Miami.
“Bridgewater, in a social media post that led to his suspension last year, told supporters of the powerhouse high school program that he spent up to $6,000 some weeks for meals, rides and other services for the team, including making sure the field is lined properly — in addition to $23,500 for the team’s training camp costs and apparel,” the report noted.
Lions Brought Back Teddy Bridgewater
The Lions had coaxed Bridgewater out of retirement after his high school coaching career came to an end, bringing him on as the backup to Goff. The Lions had initially drafted Hendon Hooker with the intention of developing him into a potential successor to Goff, or at least a long-term backup, but he failed to make significant progress and the team ultimately decided to go with the veteran Bridgewater as their backup.
“I (had) tricked myself thinking that I’m old. I’m not old, I’ve got so much left in the tank that I can continue to play in this league. I’ve got so much left to offer this game I just want to continue to contribute in every aspect that I can,” Bridgewater said, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit.
Bridgewater said he is embracing a role as a veteran leader on the Lions, one who can help serve as a mentor the team’s younger players.
“I’ve always been that type of player who just wants to see others have success,” Bridgewater said. “I always felt like, the quarterback, we play a huge role in other’s success. If I could just go out there and help a sixth-round wide receiver have a four or five year career. Or an undrafted free agent get four or five years out of the league from just competing with them throughout the spring, preseason, training camp. That’s just something that I look forward to doing.”
Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater Faces Unusual Offseason News