Teddy Bridgewater faces suspension for alleged player benefits
- Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his role as head coach at Miami Northwestern due to allegations of providing undue benefits to players.
- The Florida High School Athletic Association launched an investigation following Bridgewater's social media post asking for donations to cover expenses related to team activities.
- Bridgewater stated he self-reported certain payments and intends to remain committed to his coaching position despite the suspension.
In the United States, Teddy Bridgewater, a former NFL quarterback, was suspended from his coaching role at Miami Northwestern Senior High School due to allegations of providing impermissible benefits to his players. This suspension was confirmed in a Facebook post made by Bridgewater, where he expressed his commitment to the program despite the disciplinary action taken against him. The background to the suspension stems from an incident where, on July 7, 2025, Bridgewater publicly sought donations on social media to help cover costs associated with the football team’s expenses. These expenses included $700 per week for Uber rides, $2,200 weekly for pre-game meals, and $1,300 weekly for recovery services for the athletes. This request raised concerns among school officials and led the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) to begin an investigation into the alleged violations of high school sports regulations regarding permissible benefits. Bridgewater defended himself by stating that he self-reported his expenses to the school and insisted that no formal investigation was underway. He suggested that the administration at Miami Northwestern was behind his suspension as he expressed frustration over their actions. Noting the school’s history of scrutiny from the FHSAA, he referenced a past incident involving another local school that faced sanctions for providing impermissible benefits. Bridgewater also conveyed his dedication to remaining at Miami Northwestern, indicating his willingness to volunteer if not officially allowed to coach. Following the announcement of his suspension, notable figures and fans from the NFL community rallied in support of Bridgewater through various forums, expressing their belief in his character and integrity. The Miami Northwestern Bulls are expected to be a highly competitive high school football team this coming season, raising questions about how Bridgewater’s absence might impact the team’s performance. As of now, the school has yet to appoint an interim coach, and the season is set to kick off soon.