Former NFL star Teddy Bridgewater is in a new role in 2024, one that brings him back to his roots. In February, Bridgewater accepted the head coaching position at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School. Bridgewater's connection to Miami Northwestern runs deep and he made a return to the field Thursday night as a player during the school's annual Blue-Gold Game.
As a standout quarterback for the Bulls from 2008 to 2011, he led the team to the state finals. He threw for 6,712 yards and 70 touchdown passes over the course of his high school career.
Bridgewater's success at Miami Northwestern paved the way for a stellar college career at Louisville, where he continued to shine. He was a highly sought-after recruit, ranked as the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, and he played in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Signing with Louisville in 2011.
The signal-caller wasted no time making an impact with the Cardinals and earned recognition as the Big East Rookie of the Year in his freshman season. He propelled Louisville to a Big East title and a memorable victory over Florida in the 2012 Sugar Bowl. By the time Bridgewater concluded his time at Louisville, he had amassed 9,817 passing yards and 72 touchdowns.
A peek into Teddy Bridgewater's NFL career
Teddy Bridgewater started his NFL career after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as a first-round pick in 2014. His rookie season was impressive, but it was in 2015 that he truly broke out, leading the Vikings to a division title and earning a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Bridgewater's career took a devastating turn in 2016. During a routine practice session in training camp, he suffered a severe knee injury, tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee. This injury sidelined him for the entire 2016 season and limited his playtime over the next two years. The quarterback's attempts were limited to just 25 passes during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
However, Teddy Bridgewater's determination never wavered. He went on to play for several teams, including the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions. Following the Lions' loss in the NFC Championship Game last season, the signal-caller announced his retirement from the NFL.
Over his 10-season career, Bridgewater amassed 15,120 passing yards and 75 touchdowns, finishing his NFL career with a starting record of 33-32.
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