Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won Florida’s state championship Saturday in his first season as a head coach.
Bridgewater, coached by his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, cruised to a 41-0 victory over previously undefeated Jacksonville Raines in the Class 3A state championship game at Pitbull Stadium in Miami (on the grounds of Florida International).
The Bulls finished the season 12–2, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 262–12 in five playoff games en route to their first state title since 2019. Bridgewater scored at least 40 points in each of those games and won four of them. by turning them off.
Miami Northwestern finished 4-6 the previous season. Since going 2-2 this season, the Bulls have won 10 straight games.
“Those kids deserve it,” Bridgewater said, via USA Today. “Those kids stuck with us since February, they trusted the process.
“We just told them: Stay together. You can walk this walk together for the rest of your life if you win this game,” he added. “They won it. Ten years from now, when we have Thanksgiving practice, they’re going to come back and reminisce.”
Bridgewater, 32, retired after February, ending 10 years in the NFL as a backup QB for the Detroit Lions. During his nine seasons, he also played for the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins.
Bridgewater has thrown for 15,120 yards and 75 touchdowns in 79 games (65 starts) in his NFL career. He was the Vikings’ first-round pick (32nd overall) out of Louisville.
Teddy Bridgewater didn’t get enough credit for what he did during the Broncos’ late first-half touchdown drive.
Those 5 rolls to seal were money. pic.twitter.com/Qa1MOPE942
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) September 15, 2021
He immediately began working with Miami Northwestern and worked with players through the winter and into spring practice, according to the Palm Beach Post. When fall practices began, Bridgewater let the players stay at school for six days so they could get to know each other.
“When you’re working with 14-year-olds, 15-year-olds, 16-year-olds, 17-year-olds and coming out of the NFL, they’re not going to get it on the first try,” Bridgewater said. Palm Beach Post. “They won’t get it on the second try. They might not get it on the third, fourth or fifth. But if you stay patient with them, teach them the way to everything, the rest will take care of itself.”
Last month, Bridgewater said:I can’t wait to get back to the NFL” after the state title game, noting how many linebackers were available. After the Miami Northwestern win, he didn’t comment on what his future plans might be.