Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his coaching role at Miami Northwestern High School for violating district policies. Robert Griffin III is not happy about it.
Bridgewater got himself into some controversy for violating district policies by personally funding Uber rides, meals, and recovery services for his players.
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It was his own social media post that prompted the investigation.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Bridgewater asked for donations for the football program, admitting that he had spent considerable amounts of money out of his pocket on the team in 2024, when they won the state championship.
That includes, as he specifically stated, “around $700 on Uber fees” and around $1,500 for food per week. A nice gesture, but a violation, and something another Florida high school team was punished for back in November.
Robert Griffin III Comes to Teddy Bridgewater’s Defense
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Robert Griffin III is publicly defending Teddy Bridgewater over the suspension. Griffin criticized it as “punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice.”
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“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,” Griffin said.
“Not cheating. Not stealing. Just caring.”
Griffin added, “Suspending Teddy Bridgewater isn’t justice. It’s punishing love, leadership, and sacrifice.”
Bridgewater played nine NFL seasons across six teams, including the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, throwing for 15,120 yards and 75 touchdowns in 79 games. He earned himself a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 despite a career-altering knee injury in 2016.
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RELATED: Teddy Bridgewater Suspended From HS Coaching Gig
Is He Right?
Griffin certainly has a point, to a degree. For all the things coaches can get themselves suspended for, Teddy Bridgewater’s generosity is way down the list.
That said, the history here is a significant problem. The First Academy in Orlando was fined $36,000, forced to forfeit eight wins, and received a two-year postseason ban last season for paying for Uber rides. The league takes this kind of violation quite seriously.
Bridgewater violated Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ policies by personally funding services for his players, a rule designed to avoid favoritism and inequities. Having had a career in the NFL that provided him earnings of over $64 million, this coach can afford things that other Miami-Dade County coaches cannot offer their players. That’s why it is an unfair advantage.
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Have the parents of the players bake brownies to cover the cost of their rides and meals, the way every high school athlete’s parents had to back in the day.
You hate to see somebody punished for an act of kindness, but Bridgewater’s actions are a clear violation.
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