MIAMI — Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's post-NFL journey will start in the place his football stardom began.
Bridgewater, who recently retired from the NFL after a decade-long career, has been named the head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his alma mater, inheriting a team that went 4-6 last season, but one that he's familiar with.
Born and raised in Miami, Bridgewater started at quarterback for Miami Northwestern from 2008-2010, recording more than 5,000 yards passing and leading the Bulls to the state finals.
He developed into one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation before going on to have a successful college career at Louisville. Minnesota selected Bridgewater with the No. 32 pick in the 2014 NFL draft, and he spent three years there before a gruesome knee injury nearly ended his career.
Prior to the injury, Bridgewater was trending in the right direction, leading the Viking an NFC North title in 2015. He nearly led Minnesota to a playoff win over Seattle, but Vikings kicker Blair Walsh's 27-yard field goal attempt with 20 seconds remaining sailed wide left to give the Seahawks a 10-9 victory. He was named to his only Pro Bowl that season and had high expectations entering his third season. However, a non-contact knee injury in training camp just prior to the 2016 season changed his NFL future.
Bridgewater said then that the injury gave him a deeper gratitude for life — to never take anything for granted — and he worked his way back and had stints with New Orleans, Carolina and Denver.
He signed with the Miami Dolphins to back up Tua Tagovailoa in 2022, and he frequently attended Friday night football games at his alma mater, as well as throwing charity events throughout the South Florida community.
Bridgewater spent the final season of his career with the Detroit Lions, backing up Jared Goff in the Lions' run to the NFC championship game.
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