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Teddy Bridgewater criticized high school football highlight tapes that lacked substance

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•03/14/25•

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Teddy Bridgewater
Miami Northwestern's Teddy Bridgewater raises the state trophy following the team's win over Raines in the Class 3A championship on Dec. 14, 2024. (© Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

High school football players must listen whenever Teddy Bridgewater imparts some wisdom. After all, he has a decade’s worth of NFL experience with six different teams and is a 2015 Pro Bowler. This time, the former Louisville standout criticized highlight tapes that contained more form than substance.

“Kids highlight tapes these days will have a minute worth of them dapping up teammates and opponents, 30 more seconds of them pointing and talking to the camera man… All that for them to have 2 catches for 8 yards in 7on7!,” the Miami Northwestern head coach posted on Facebook last March 10.

“It’s like what you trying to show these colleges you have great social skills? All content isn’t ‘quality content.’ These scouts want to see plays! Actual reps!,” the former NFL first-round pick added.

Highlight reels make it easier for college recruiters to find high school players who can help build a winning program. However, Teddy Bridgewater would like those who produce these videos to lessen the style points and show real talent.

It’s tough to question Bridgewater’s penchant for evaluating talent, especially after turning his high school alma mater from a winning team to a powerhouse program. Before he became the Bulls’ head coach, the team went 4-6 under Michalee Harris.

Conversely, Miami Northwestern finished with a 12-2 record in Bridgewater’s first season as head coach. Those wins include five shutouts, while the highest points they’ve allowed all season was 21 to Norland. More importantly, the veteran NFL quarterback led the Bulls to a Florida Class 3A state championship against the Raines Vikings.

Teddy Bridgewater ended his retirement after signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Detroit Lions last season. He made one completion for the Lions during the 2024 NFL playoffs. In addition to the Lions, he also played for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.