Teddy Bridgewater Faces Suspension in High School Coaching Role

Teddy Bridgewater’s foray into high school coaching is hitting a snag.

After completing just one season as head coach at Miami Northwestern High School, he has been suspended for allegedly providing “unacceptable benefits” to players.

Bridgewater, who still plays in the NFL, had previously called on fans and parents to help cover certain fees that the school hadn’t paid.

Reacting to the news of his suspension on Facebook, he expressed frustration, stating, “I think there’s a misunderstanding. I called to clarify tonight. There hasn’t been any investigation. I mentioned I need to be an employee to look into this. I’m still on paper as a coach, but no actual inquiry has occurred… We reported this ourselves.”

Continuing, he noted, “Verne and the others want to take me down. I tried to bring in a friend to assist, but the suspension comes from MNW. I’m free to go to another school, but I’m staying put. I’ve volunteered in the bleachers before, and there were no issues back in 2018 and 2019. It’s baffling.”

Last season, Bridgewater returned from retirement to support Lions starter Jared Goff, though he didn’t see playtime during the regular season.

He had already spoken to the community about his need for financial support for expenses incurred from his own pocket.

These expenses have included “feeding the boys,” daily Uber rides, and training camps, amounting to around $14,000 last year.

Bridgewater emphasized his commitment to supporting players, noting he orders meals specifically from black-owned restaurants.

In his message, he took jabs at school administrators, asserting, “These are choices we have made ourselves, not mandated by those who create rules at MNW.”

He signed with the Lions in December after leading his team at the high school level.

A first-round pick in 2014 for the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater has not participated in regular-season NFL games since 2023 and has only played six games total since 2021.