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Teddy Bridgewater seemed to stand by his decisions as head football coach for Miami Northwestern High School, which eventually resulted in Nfl Quarterback was suspended after leading the team to a State Championship.
Talking with the media Wednesday after signing a one -year appointment with Tampa Bay Buccaneers This week, Bridgewater explained his thought process behind the events that led to his suspension last month.
Miami Northwesterns Teddy Bridgewater raises the state trophy after the team’s win over Raines in Class 3A Championship on December 14, 2024. (Chet Peterman/ Special to Post/ USA Today -Network via Imag images)
“Honestly, I think everyone knows I’m just a cheerful guy, also a cheerful giving. I’m a protector. I’m a father before something,” he began.
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“When I decided to train, these players became my sons and I wanted to make sure I just protect them in the best way I can. I think that’s what happened.”
Bridgewater was suspended Last month to give players financial benefits – something he previously said he has informed the school about. In a post on Facebook last month, he explained that he personally funded Uber -rides, meal costs and physiotherapy treatment for the team.
He reached out on social media where he asked for donations “so I no longer have to take from my personal means to keep smiles on the faces of these young men and remind them that they matter.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (16) goes through an exercise during the training camp, on August 6, 2025, at the Adventhealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Teddy Bridgewater to sign with buccaneers after suspension from coaching jobs
Bridgewater was later suspended, a decision that came months after he led school to a State Championship in Class 3A in the fall.
Wednesday, Bridgewater doubled on the mood.
“Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when the kids go home and different things like that. So I just tried to protect them, give them a trip home instead of taking the dangerous hikes. I just want people to continue to see me for the person I have been from the time I arrived in the NFL, from the time I arrived at University of Louisville – Heart and a desire and a heaviness.
Tampa Bay Buccane’s head coach Todd Bowles, Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Asst. General Manager Mike Greenberg and General Manager Jason Licht stand together as they all smile during training camp training on August 5, 2025 at the Adventhealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now that he is back in the league after previously getting out of retirement in December to join the Detroit Lions In their playoff persecution, Bridgewater said he hopes he can continue to serve as inspiration for his players.
“He shows us that he can reach it to the NFL, he shows us that he can train, he shows us that there are different life opportunities that you can take, and I hope they notice it.”
