Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended by his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, from his head football coaching position at the school after he recently posted on social media that he paid for players’ Uber rides.
Bridgewater, who led the Bulls to a state championship in his first season as coach last year, confirmed the suspension via a post on his Facebook page on Sunday night. The post did not specify the length of the suspension, but according to a source connected to the South Florida football scene, Bridgewater will not be allowed to coach the Bulls this coming season, and no replacement coach has been named as of yet.
“The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you,” Bridgewater wrote in the post. “So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
“And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.”
Bridgewater recently posted about paying for the Uber rides recently, which are considered “impermissible benefits” by the Florida High School Athletic Association’s rules.
According to the FHSAA policy, “FHSAA rules address transportation in the context of student eligibility and potential violations of impermissible benefits. Specifically, a coach cannot provide free or reduced-cost transportation to a student, nor can they purchase anything for a student.”
Northwestern athletic director Andre Williams replied with the statement regarding the policy when contacted by the Herald recently.
The Herald recently tried to reach Bridgewater, but got a recording that said his number has been “changed, disconnected or is no longer in service.”
Over a week ago, Bridgewater went on social media and asked fans to help him recover at least some of the money he has spent on his players, including $700 per week for Uber rides. According to original reporting by the Palm Beach Post, Bridgewater also spent $2,200 for pregame meals and $1,300 for athletic-recovery services.
The suspension stems from the school, not the FHSAA, but the state sanctioned the Orlando-based The First Academy, for a similar offense last fall, and fined the school $36,000 and banned the Royals from the playoffs for two years.
Bridgewater led his alma mater back to prominence last season, guiding them to their first state title since 2019 and their ninth overall. Northwestern had gone 4-6 the previous season and missed the playoffs.
Heading into this season, the Bulls were heavy favorites to repeat as champions and perhaps be ranked among the top teams in the nation with a talented class led by five-star receiver and Syracuse commit Calvin Russell Jr.
Bridgewater, who played 11 seasons in the NFL for seven different teams including the Dolphins as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup, made a brief return to action this past January with the Detroit Lions as Jared Goff’s backup. He completed one pass for three yards in the Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round.
Bridgewater burst onto the scene for Northwestern as a talented sophomore in 2008 following in the footsteps of former University of Miami quarterback Jacory Harris. Bridgewater led the Bulls to a state runner-up finish that season and started for three seasons until moving on to star at the University of Louisville.
Bridgewater was picked in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2014 by the Minnesota Vikings. A serious knee injury forced him to miss nearly two years until he returned to action in 2018.
Bridgewater made $65.2 million in his NFL career, according to OverTheCap.com.
High school football teams in South Florida are set to officially begin practices on July 28 and teams begin playing preseason games on Aug. 14.
Northwestern is scheduled to open its regular season on Aug. 23 at Traz Powell Stadium against Orange (Ca.) Lutheran High at 7.