By David L. Snelling
(Source: South Florida Times)
MIAMI — Following a firestorm of protests over the suspension of Miami Northwestern High School football head coach Teddy Bridgewater for offering financial assistance to his players, a bill was filed for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session to amend a state regulation.
State Sen. Shervin Jones (D-West Park) is sponsoring SB 178 which would allow coaches to offer financial help to K12 athletes.
The bill also was designed to prevent misuse or recruitment-related incentives.
“Teddy Bridgewater was suspended for helping his players for being the kind of coach every kid deserves,” Jones said in a statement. “My bill makes sure that never happens again. Coaches should be empowered to lift their kids up, not punished for it.”
Bridgewater was suspended by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) before the start of the 2025 season for sharing a social media post of providing meals and Uber rides from practices to impoverished young athletes.
In his post, Bridgewater, who led the Bulls to the 2024 state championship, said he spent roughly $700 a week on Uber rides and $14,000 for a four-night pre-season training camp, $9,500 on Northwestern-branded clothing, $1,300 per week for post-game recovery trucks and $2,200 per week for pregame meals.
He was pleading for donations for the football program.
Bridgewater was suspended for the 2025 season for violating FHSAA’s policy which prohibits any coach from providing financial assistance to players despite their financial struggles.
The FHSAA also issued a reprimand to Northwestern and levied a $2,500 penalty against the school. All but $250 of that fine will be returned to the school, which handed down the suspension approved by the FHSAA, if it does not commit further violations.
The suspension drew protests from the African American community, athletes, students and the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, arguing Bridgewater was caring about the well-being of his players.
Bridgewater, a Pro Bowl quarterback, resigned as head coach and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He told reporters in August he was only looking out for his team when there were no other options. “I’m protective, and I’m a father first before anything. And when I decided to coach, those players became my sons,” Bridgewater said. “And I wanted to make sure that I just protected them in the best way that I can. I think that’s what came about. Miami Northwestern’s in a tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when the kids are walking home and different things like that.”
Under Jones’ proposed bill, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) would be required to adopt bylaws permitting coaches to use personal funds in good faith to provide food, transportation and recovery services.
Rapper Luther Campbell, who’s a football coach at Miami Edison High, Northwestern’s neighborhood rival, praises Jones’ effort.
“Big shoutout to Senator Shervin Jones for getting it done,” Campbell said on social media. “We have to change this old ancient rule that applies to Miami-Dade County football coaches where you have to be a teacher no other city in the state of Florida has that.”
Local high school student Leslie Ramonds said Bridgewater’s generosity reflects teachers’ wellbeing in the classrooms.
“Teachers buy school supplies and lunch for students and they are not suspended,” she said. “What’s the difference?” When he retires from the NFL, Miami Northwestern wants to see Bridgewater return to his alma mater as head coach, according to sources.
Bridgewater was a first-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2014.
He had stints with the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.
