Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Northwestern under investigation

Teddy Bridgewater‘s plea for donations on Monday has attracted the attention of the Florida High School Athletic Association. According to a report in the Palm Beach Post, the FHSAA is looking into an allegation against Miami Northwestern related to Bridgewater’s Facebook post.

Monday, the free agent NFL quarterback asked fans to help him cover team expenses that were not being covered by the school. These included $700 per week for Uber rides, $1,300 per week for athletic recovery services and $2,200 per week for pre-game meals during the season.

There is recent precedent for the FHSAA punishing programs for paying for player meals and Uber rides. Last fall, several players at The First Academy were found to have received impermissible benefits, including a free Uber ride. The FHSAA hit the Royals with a two-year postseason ban and a $36,000 fine as a result.

Northwestern is no stranger to FHSAA attention. Last season the Bulls were investigated for using an ineligible player. That investigation was ultimately closed and Northwestern was cleared.

Bridgewater took over at Northwestern, his alma mater, in 2024 and made an immediate impact on the field. He led the Bulls to a 12-2 record and their first state title since 2019. They finished the 2024 season ranked No. 6 in Florida, according to the Rivals Composite High School Team Rankings.

In December, Bridgewater unretired from the NFL after Miami Northwestern’s season concluded and re-signed with the Lions. He backed up quarterback Jared Goff for the rest of the NFL’s 2024 campaign. Bridgewater appeared briefly in the Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Expectations are high at Northwestern

The Bulls should be even better in their second season under Bridgewater. Starting quarterback Leon Strawder returns and may be pushed by incoming 2028 transfer Niemann Lawrence. No matter who lines up behind center, five-star Syracuse commit Calvin Russell and FAU pledge Nicsaint Joseph will challenge every secondary on the schedule.

Northwestern’s defense has future Power Four players at all three levels, with Georgia commit James Johnson and Miami commit Jordan Campbell leading the charge up front. Future Pitt Panther Desmond Johnson is set to anchor the team’s linebacking corps, while Florida State pledge Tedarius Hughes leads the defensive backfield.

The Bulls enter the season ranked No. 4 in Florida, according to the Massey Ratings. They are scheduled open the season against Lakeland on Aug. 16 before a high-profile interstate matchup against California power Orange Lutheran on Aug. 23.