NFL Twitter loses it after Teddy Bridgewater gets suspended from coaching gig

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is in the news after he was suspended from his high school coaching gig for allegedly providing impermissible benefits to players.

Bridgewater coached Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his alma mater, to a state championship in the 2024 season.

“Miami Northwestern head football coach Teddy Bridgewater acknowledged in a Facebook post late Sunday night that he has been suspended by Miami Northwestern,” wrote Andy Villamarzo of Rivals. “The suspension comes days after the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) began looking into an allegation that Bridgewater provided impermissible benefits to his players.”

Bridgewater will not be allowed to coach the team this coming season, per the Miami Herald.

Many people are upset over Bridgewater’s suspension, as it appears the punishment may be a result of him going the extra mile for his players.

As indicated, he confirmed the suspension himself on Facebook.

“Damn people done caused all this confusion,” he wrote. “Got a phone call tonight and it’s no real investigation going on.. I told you I have to be an employee to be investigated. Now the paperwork thing still stands but there was no investigation… We SELF REPORTED..

“Verne [Louis] and his Admnistrative homeboys want me gone apparently and tried to hire one of my dawgs like bro wasn’t gone lace me up… The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you. 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.

“This my last post about this bs.”

Earlier in July, Bridgewater made a separate post on Facebook in which he asked for donations to “help me carry the load so I no longer have to take from my personal funds” for the student-athletes. It’s possible that his suspension stems from that post.

“Good morning to all of my BULLS and BULL SUPPORTERS,” he wrote on July 7.

“Today I’m coming to you on behalf of the football team and seeking donations to assist our boys this season and to help me carry the load so I no longer have to take from my personal funds to keep smiles on these young men face and remind them that they matter.

“From daily uber rides, to feeding the boys MLK ($1500 a week) every morning following our morning training sessions to feeding the boys catered pasta during the season, to pride sets, to training camp – I cover ALL THE EXPENSES.

“So today I’m putting together my fundraising packages for individuals looking to donate to the program. You will be able to donate to my foundation personally and funds will be used throughout the season as we get ready to crank up.”

In the same Facebook post earlier in July, he detailed some of the expenses he has handled himself.

“- The most recent event we have coming up is our Training Camp where we sleep in the schools basketball gym,” he wrote. “Last year it costed me $14,000 to conduct the camp (4 nights) – 3 hot meals a day from local black owned restaurants and a snack on some of those days.

“- Last year it cost me $9,500 to purchase pride sets for the players so they can look like a team.

“-Also last year it cost me $300 a week to keep the field painted with lines and numbers so our players can know how to line up and execute.

“-Last year it also cost me $1300 a week to have recovery trucks come service the players the day before games.

“- During the season, each week it costs me $2200 to feed the team pre-game meal.

“- Each week I spend around $700 on uber fares.”

He also added another key detail in that same post.

“These are all things I choose to do on my own and are not requirements for the boys to have according to the rule makers and those who make the decisions at MNW,” he wrote.

The situation has caused a reaction from people on social media who are of the belief that his suspension does indeed stem from his efforts to go the extra mile.

“Teddy Bridgewater just got suspended as the Head Coach of Miami Northwestern High School because he covered Uber rides, meals and recovery services for his players out of his own pockets last season,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X.

“He got suspended for taking care of his players when they were in need, teaching them how to take care of their bodies and giving them the necessities to help them chase their dreams for a brighter future.

“Not cheating. Not stealing. Just caring.

“He gave them the tools to chase a better future and is getting punished for it.

“Suspending Teddy Bridgewater isn’t justice.

“It’s punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice.”

Bridgewater was with the Dolphins during the 2022 season. He appeared in five games with the team and started two of them, completing 62.0 percent of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

He was originally a first-round pick back in 2014 and earned a Pro Bowl selection in the 2015 season. Last season, he came out of retirement to play for the Detroit Lions.

Bridgewater, 32, is a native of Miami, so his stint with the Dolphins in 2022 was certainly special and meaningful. The squad made the playoffs that season but was eliminated in a close battle against the Buffalo Bills in the first round.

Hopefully, his situation at Miami Northwestern Senior High School will get resolved in a way that allows him to keep impacting those kids in a positive manner.