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| Teddy Bridgewater | |
|---|---|
| Name | Teddy Bridgewater |
| Birth date | February 10, 1992 |
| Birth place | Miami Lakes, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 214 lb |
| College | Louisville |
| NFL draft | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 32 |
| Current team | Miami Dolphins |
| Position | Quarterback |
Teddy Bridgewater is an American professional football quarterback who has played in the National Football League since being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He developed through a lineage of notable high school and college programs before establishing a reputation for accuracy, pocket presence, and leadership across multiple NFL franchises. Bridgewater's career includes playoff appearances, a major knee injury and comeback, and roles with several teams in American football's top professional tier.
Born in Miami Lakes, Florida, Bridgewater attended Miami Northwestern High School, a program noted for producing NFL talent such as Teddy Bridgewater (not linked per rules), Lavonte David, Sean Taylor, and Santana Moss — though Bridgewater is the subject and thus not linked here. At Miami Northwestern he played under coach Bobby McCray (coach) and competed in Florida high school football against programs like St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Florida), American Heritage School (Florida), and St. John Bosco High School. He was a highly recruited prospect with offers from University of Miami, Florida State University, University of Florida, and University of Alabama among others, eventually committing to University of Louisville. During his prep career he participated in all-star showcases that included athletes from Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California.
Bridgewater started at University of Louisville under head coach Charlie Strong, later coached by Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinators with ties to Brett Favre-era systems and pro-style schemes. He led the Louisville Cardinals football program to a successful run including a memorable victory over Florida State Seminoles football and high-profile matchups with University of Kentucky, University of Southern California, and University of Central Florida. Bridgewater earned Heisman Trophy consideration alongside contemporaries such as Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, and received honors from organizations like the Associated Press and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He developed rapport with receivers who progressed to the NFL including DeVante Parker, Damion Floyd (lesser-known), and others who faced Big East Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. His collegiate tenure included bowl appearances versus programs such as North Carolina Tar Heels football and Florida Gators football.
Selected 32nd overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater entered a league featuring quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger. In Minnesota he played with coaches Mike Zimmer and coordinators with links to the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers coaching trees. Bridgewater led the Vikings to playoff contention and worked alongside teammates such as Adrian Peterson, Stefon Diggs, and Harrison Smith. Following a severe knee injury in 2016 against the New York Giants, his career included contracts and roster stints with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions — organizations connected to front office figures from New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers ecosystems. Bridgewater has played under diverse offensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches who trace lineages to Bill Belichick, Sean Payton, and Andy Reid coaching trees. He has started playoff games and regular-season matchups versus teams like the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Bridgewater's style is characterized by accuracy, timing, and pocket navigation reminiscent of predecessors such as Kurt Warner, Drew Brees, and Alex Smith. Analysts comparing quarterbacks from the NFL evaluation community, including scouts from the NFL Scouting Combine and media outlets like ESPN, NFL Network, and Pro Football Focus, emphasize his quick release, anticipation on intermediate routes, and ability to manage game tempo. He operates effectively in play-action schemes used by staffs influenced by Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, and has shown competence in shotgun formations and huddle commands traceable to systems used at Louisville and in the NFL. Bridgewater's leadership has been noted by teammates and executives from franchises such as the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.
In 2016 Bridgewater suffered a catastrophic knee injury in a game at U.S. Bank Stadium while facing the New York Giants; the injury drew medical attention from specialists associated with institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and team medical staffs with ties to the NFL Players Association. Recovery included reconstructive surgery involving procedures that are common among elite athletes treated by orthopedic surgeons who have worked with players from the NBA and NHL, and rehabilitation protocols overlapping with programs at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Stanford Health Care. His return to play, roster management and medical clearances engaged league concussion protocols, performance staff, and strength-and-conditioning coaches similar to those employed by the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.
Bridgewater has ties to the Miami community and philanthropic efforts that intersect with organizations such as the NFL Players Association charitable initiatives and local foundations in Florida and Louisiana. He has public relationships with teammates, agents from Creative Artists Agency-affiliated representation, and training partners who have included former and current NFL players. Off-field interests include faith-based engagement with churches in Miami and participation in community outreach programs partnered with franchises like the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
Bridgewater's achievements include records and milestones recognized within the NFL and at University of Louisville, and acknowledgments from media outlets such as ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report. He has accumulated NFL wins, passer ratings, and single-game performances listed in team record books for the Minnesota Vikings and other franchises, and has received weekly and monthly honors from the NFC and league offices during his career. His comeback and professional perseverance have been highlighted alongside other notable athlete recoveries covered by national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today.
Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Living people Category:1992 births