Teddy Bridgewater walked away from millions of dollars and a ten-year NFL career to pursue his real passion — coaching high school football. And the former New Orleans Saints quarterback has found success there, too. Bridgewater returned to his alma mater in South Florida, Miami Northwestern High School, where the field is named after him.
And while it’s just Year 1 of his program, Bridgewater already has them in the playoffs with a 7-2 record (they took a third loss to crosstown rival Miami Central, which forfeited the game due to a rules violation). They’ll play Barron Collier this Friday and hope to advance.
“It’s a smart group,” Bridgewater told the Miami Herald after beating top-seeded Miami Columbus earlier this season. “It’s a group that loves challenges and they’re battled tested.”
Good for him. He made a lot of fans with the Saints and “Teddy Two Gloves” is still remembered fondly for helping to save their 2018 season after a devastating injury to Drew Brees. Everywhere he’s gone, from Miami to Louisville and multiple NFL cities, he’s left with more fans cheering for him.
Bridgewater overcame a career-threatening knee injury to enjoy a productive stint with the Saints and a couple of years as a starter before stepping back into a backup role. He was known for stopping by high school games as a spectator just enjoying the atmosphere in New Orleans, so you can say he’s in his element. Making a positive influence on the next generation and teaching them how to succeed, even through adversity, is how he feels he can best build his legacy.
