Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, once a familiar face in Florida with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is now the inspiration for a potential new law in the state. The Teddy Bridgewater Act aims to empower high school coaches by allowing them to use up to $15,000 of their own funds to support student-athletes. This could cover essentials like food, transportation, and recovery services.
The legislation has already cleared the Florida Senate and is now heading to the state House of Representatives. If it passes there, it will land on Governor Ron DeSantis's desk for final approval.
Bridgewater's commitment to his players was evident during his tenure as head coach at Miami Northwestern, his alma mater. He often dipped into his own pockets to pay for Ubers and meals for his team, even rallying fans to chip in. His efforts, however, led to a suspension after he guided the Bulls to a state championship in 2024.
Reflecting on his coaching philosophy, Bridgewater shared, "When I decided to coach, those players became my sons. I wanted to protect them as best as I could. Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood, and I wanted to ensure they had a safe way home."
After stepping down from his coaching role, Bridgewater returned to the NFL for the 2025 season with the Buccaneers. He notably stepped in for an injured Baker Mayfield during Tampa's Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Throughout his career, Bridgewater has maintained a 33-32 record as a starter, amassing 15,182 passing yards, 75 touchdowns, and 47 interceptions.