Teddy Bridgewater, Bucs QB, opens up about ‘difficult' suspension from Florida high school
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Bridgewater was suspended by the school amid an investigation by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) into alleged impermissible benefits provided by Bridgewater. The week before he was suspended, Bridgewater asked Northwestern fans on Facebook for donations for player expenses, including pregame meals and Uber fares.
'I think everyone knows that I'm a cheerful guy, a cheerful giver, as well,' Bridgewater said on Wednesday. 'And I'm a protector. I'm a father first, before anything. When I decided to coach, those players became my sons. I wanted to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can. I think that's what came about.
'Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home and different things like that, so I just tried to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks.'
According to US News and World Report, 75% of Miami Northwestern students are considered economically disadvantaged.
'It was very — it was difficult,' Bridgewater said. 'I have so many relationships with those young men down there in South Florida at Miami Northwestern… it's a great group of kids, man. They see so much hope when they look at me. I always said, it's food for my soul. It's the way I feed my soul and it allows me to stay young, being around those kids.
'I think now that I'm back in the league, it's actually going to be extra motivation for them as well because they'll get to play a game on Friday night and probably get to drive across the state and come watch the Bucs play and see Coach on the sideline.'
Bridgewater, who was a star football player at Miami Northwestern in the late 2000s, said that there are 'a lot of changes' that he'd like to see within the Florida high school football landscape to help support the kids that need it. Bridgewater said he hopes that those changes happen in due time, but added that he couldn't wait for those things to be implemented.
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'I can't change who I am because of the rules,' Bridgewater said. 'I have a big heart. I get it from my mom. I always said that I was once those kids. I know what it's like to be in their shoes. I know what it's like to walk those halls at Miami Northwestern and to have your stomach growling and rumbling at 12 o'clock in the afternoon because you didn't have any lunch money or you don't get the free lunch.
'I can't change who I am. I'll still give to those kids because I know what it's like. When I say give, it's not even about money. It's about my time and my presence because a lot of time, you see your idol on TV and it's like, 'Man, I wonder what it's like to be that person.' But when they see me in the flesh and see how I'm an open-spirit person and I'm happy, I'm around them. They fit right in with me and I fit in with them.'
For Bridgewater, 32, the Bucs are his eighth team in the NFL. Bridgewater provides Tampa Bay some veteran leadership and experience to pair with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Michael Pratt, their No. 3 quarterback, is currently week-to-week with a back injury.
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