Lawmakers are allowing coaches to help players who need it now.
On the day well-traveled NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater returned to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Florida Legislature passed a namesake bill (CS/CS/SB 178) intended to address issues highlighted when he was coaching high school football in Florida.
The Senate agreed to House amendments on the bill on Wednesday afternoon.
Sen. Shevrin Jones said the bill now authorizes a coach employed by a school or School District to use personal funds to support a student, including in physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
It also requires written parental consent before a coach may provide support to a student.
It requires the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) bylaws to define an athletic team to include junior varsity and varsity squads, and limits the use of personal funds to one coach per athletic team, with a $15,000 annual cap beginning in July.
When coaching at Miami Northwestern, Bridgewater posted on social media asking donors to help with food, travel expenses (such as Uber), and other expenses he’d previously paid for with his own money. This led to concerns about benefits outside the rules, which he self-reported.
Rep. Chip LaMarca carried the ball in the House.
The bill will move to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.