Teddy Bridgewater, the Detroit Lions’ backup quarterback, has announced his retirement from the NFL. The Portal reports that Bridgewater has been selected the next head coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School.
Teddy Bridgewater, taken in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014, had a promising start to his NFL career before it was cut short by a catastrophic knee injury—a ruptured ACL and dislocated knee—during a training camp before to the 2016 season. Now 31, the former Northwestern standout quarterback has also played for the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions, totaling 15,120 passing yards and 75 touchdowns in his professional career. Bridgewater’s talent was clear early on, as he threw for 6,712 yards and 70 touchdowns in three seasons with the Bulls.
A Purpose Bigger Than Football
Bridgewater stated in December that he had a deeper purpose than just playing footHere is what Bridgewater said back in December about having a bigger purpose than just playing the game of football.ball.
Outside of that, I’m Theodore Bridgewater, so it just put everything in perspective, and it really helped me not have to worry about not being a starter [anymore],” Bridgewater said in December. “It’s like, ‘Man, I still got purpose.'” And my goal is larger than the game of football. Football is simply a platform that I have.”
Teddy Bridgewater has opted to retire from the NFL and has been selected the new head coach at his alma school, Miami Northwestern High School, signaling a big shift from professional football to a leadership role in education and athletics.
Bridgewater collected 15,120 throwing yards and 75 touchdowns over his NFL career with clubs like the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions, despite suffering a serious knee injury early in his career. His high school career was as outstanding, totaling 6,712 yards and 70 touchdowns in three seasons.
Bridgewater has stated that his mission extends beyond the football field, and that he sees football as a tool for achieving larger goals. This attitude has influenced his shift to a position where he
Bottom Line
Teddy Bridgewater’s journey from first-round NFL draft pick to overcoming difficulties and now coaching at Miami Northwestern High School exemplifies a significant transformation in his professional and personal life. His dedication to finding meaning beyond the gridiron and using his platform to influence the next generation exemplifies a legacy that goes beyond his on-field accomplishments. As Bridgewater starts on this new chapter, his narrative demonstrates the impact sportsmen can have when they put their experiences, leadership, and ideals into developing future potential.
