• Teddy Bridgewater attended Miami Northwestern’s 52-21 semifinal win and celebrated with players.
• The Buccaneers quarterback coached the school to the 2024 Class 3A state title but was later suspended amid an FHSAA probe.
• Bridgewater funded team amenities and held an NFL-style training camp before leaving; Miami Northwestern will face Raines in a rematch of last year’s final.
H2: Bridgewater returns to watch alma mater reach another title game
Teddy Bridgewater, now a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was in the stands as Miami Northwestern Senior High clinched a spot in the Class 3A Florida championship with a 52-21 victory over Bishop Moore of Orlando. After the semifinal, nearly the entire team celebrated with Bridgewater in the stands, where the former Bulls star wore a wide smile as players surrounded him.
H3: From coach to supporter — a quick recap
Bridgewater coached Miami Northwestern to the 2024 Class 3A state title after the team had gone 4-6 the season before he arrived. In 2024 the Bulls started 2-2 before winning 10 straight games and the championship. The NFL veteran, who grew up in Liberty City near the school and starred at Miami Northwestern, had invested time and money into the program.
H4: What Bridgewater provided to the program
Reports say Bridgewater paid out of pocket for many team needs: a cold tub, sauna, massages, barbers, a chef for healthy pregame meals and an NFL-style training camp. He housed players at the school for five nights during camp, sleeping on a small cot while athletes slept on the gym floor, and covered daily meals for more than 70 players — costs he absorbed personally.
H3: Suspension and the FHSAA investigation
In July, Miami Northwestern suspended Bridgewater amid an investigation by the Florida High School Athletic Association into alleged impermissible benefits. The week before the suspension, Bridgewater asked Northwestern supporters on Facebook to donate to cover player expenses, including meals and transportation. After the suspension, he said he disagreed with the school’s decision but would still support the program from the stands if needed.
H3: Back with the Bucs, still backing the Bulls
Bridgewater signed with the Buccaneers after the suspension and has returned to the NFL. In August he described his actions as attempts to protect and support players from a tough neighborhood, saying he wanted to provide rides home and basic needs. Now back in the league, he’ll watch his former team attempt to defend its title.
H2: What’s next
Miami Northwestern will face Raines of Jacksonville in the Class 3A state championship — a rematch of the 2024 final. Bridgewater’s presence in the stands has become a symbol of continuity for the Bulls: a hometown star who coached the team to a title and continues to rally behind the program even as he resumes his NFL career.
(Reporting based on The Athletic coverage.)
Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6874301/2025/12/08/teddy-bridgewater-miami-coach-northwest-high-school/