Latest news with #MiamiNorthwesternSeniorHighSchool
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Deeper than football': Northwestern rallies behind suspended coach, Teddy Bridgewater
The scene outside of Miami Northwestern Senior High School on Thursday evening resembled a high school reunion — alumni dating back to the Class of 1970 donned blue and yellow t-shirts, passing out water bottles to one another to cool down from the heat. But instead of reminiscing about prom king and queen, these alumni were protesting, demanding that the school reinstate their football coach. And Miami Northwestern Senior High School has no ordinary football coach. 'Teddy [Bridgewater] means so much to this community, and it's deeper than football,' one of the protest organizers, Northwestern alum Nay Akins told the Miami Herald. 'It's about our future and our kids, everyone loves and appreciates [Teddy]. He brings hope and inspiration.' After retiring from the NFL in 2023, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to his alma mater as head coach and transformed the program, helping bring the team the 2024 state championship. But in July 2025, the school suspended him for providing what the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) deemed 'impermissible benefits' to players. According to Bridgewater's own social media posts, he spent well over $100,000 during the 2024 season on Uber rides, pregame meals, and athletic recovery services, in addition to covering training camp costs and other essentials. Those benefits were not routed through the school's established programs, per FHSAA rules. Bridgewater self-reported his expenditures. According to the alumni, even after Bridgewater rejoined the NFL, coming out of retirement to sign with the Detroit Lions in December 2024, he also made sure to prioritize his hometown community. 'He's one of us,' Derrick Madry, a 1984 Northwestern alum. 'He could've gone anywhere in the world, but he chose to come back here,' Miami Northwestern Class of 1990 alum Felicia Pickard said. Pickard has three children, one of whom went to Miami Northwestern and graduated in 2021. 'The kids love him— they did phenomenal [when Teddy returned.]' The outpouring of love from the Miami Northwestern alumni was palpable on 71st Street in Liberty City, Miami. Many donned 'Coach Teddy, We Ready' t-shirts in the school's colors, drivers passing by rolled down their windows, honking and blaring music. Towards the end of the demonstration, a mobile billboard truck flashing 'Bring Teddy Back' and 'Reinstate Bridgewater' rolled by. But, according to Akins, Teddy's legacy at the school goes beyond football. Once he returned, more students worked towards college scholarships, the attendance rate for classes went up, and Miami Northwestern's graduation rate skyrocketed. He organized back-to-school and Christmas giveaways for students in need. 'A lot of people say [Teddy] left and came back, but truth be told, he never left,' Akins said. 'His heart and soul is here in the inner city.' In the early 2000s, Miami Northwestern was defined a 'dropout factory' from John Hopkins University in a study on student retention from freshman to senior year. From 2004-2006, the study found that only 41% of the entering freshman class graduated from Miami Northwestern. Now, that number is over 90 percent, according to US News and World Report. 'We need more male figures like him,' Akins said. 'If Teddy continued to be with these kids, we'd have 100 more Teddy's. After that, generations of Teddy's. It would bring this community to where it needs to be.'
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Teddy Bridgewater earns national praise after shocking Florida school punishment
Teddy Bridgewater earns national praise after shocking Florida school punishment (Image Via X) In Miami, Florida, Teddy Bridgewater is making headlines again. Not for his NFL career, but for what he did as a high school coach. Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his coaching position at Miami Northwestern Senior High School on July 14, 2025. The only reason: He paid for rides, meals, and recovery services for his student-athletes during the 2024 season, in effort to help kids and that's it. That same act earned a suspension from an athletic department. However, instead of being condemned by the public or football world, Teddy Bridgewater is being applauded by NFL players, coaches, and fans across America. Teddy Bridgewater suspended after helping student-athletes with personal funds Miami Northwestern High School publicly announced the suspension of Teddy Bridgewater, 32, when he discovered that he had been suspended for saying that he financially supported the team. The public announcement of his suspension from the team took place on July 14, 2025, after the FHSAA investigated and went through all of the proper protocol. — _mlfootball (@_mlfootball) Teddy Bridgewater gave his players Uber rides, food before games, and recovery tools, and he paid for all of these things personally out of his own pocket. He stated these things on Facebook, saying,'I've always done what's right for the kids. I don't regret a thing.' Although not officially on school payroll, he was still suspended for violating the FHSAA's rules on providing benefits. Bridgewater had led the team to a state title in 2024 and returned to the NFL with the Detroit Lions for the 2023 season. His coaching role was something he took seriously, often calling it his 'real purpose' after football. Also Read: Teddy Bridgewater Suspension Sparks Outrage After Selfless Act To Help Struggling Players Teddy Bridgewater receives public support from NFL stars and fans Following the suspension, many NFL figures stood up for Teddy Bridgewater. Former wide receiver Chad Johnson posted on X, 'That's not a violation, that's love.' Robert Griffin III also said, 'You don't punish love and leadership.' Shannon Sharpe called the punishment a 'slippery slope,' warning that rules like this could stop athletes from giving back to their communities. Fans online also defended Teddy Bridgewater. One comment read, 'How can helping kids ever be wrong?' On social media, hashtags like #LetTeddyCoach started trending. Though suspended, Teddy Bridgewater shared that he still plans to support the team however he can even from the stands. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
CBS News
29-01-2025
- CBS News
Miami-Dade Schools Police officer, pedestrian involved in crash outside Miami Northwestern Senior High
MIAMI - A Miami-Dade Schools police officer and a pedestrian were involved in a crash Wednesday afternoon outside Miami Northwestern Senior High School, prompting a large emergency response. The crash occurred at Northwest 10th Avenue and 67th Street, near the school's baseball field, just a few blocks from the main entrance. The officer's patrol vehicle was visibly damaged and came to rest beneath a tree. Emergency crews, including City of Miami Police and Miami Fire Rescue, responded quickly to the scene. Images from Chopper 4 showed a gurney being brought out to transport at least one person, but authorities have not yet confirmed who was injured or the extent of those injuries. It is unclear whether the officer was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Police have not yet released details about what led to the crash and the investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
