Teddy Bridgewater facts for kids
Bridgewater with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017
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| No. 12 – Detroit Lions | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | November 10, 1992 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Miami Northwestern (FL) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Louisville (2011–2013) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 32 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| As coach: | |||||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Theodore "Teddy" Edmond Bridgewater Jr. (born November 10, 1992) is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals. There, he helped his team win the 2013 Sugar Bowl.
The Minnesota Vikings chose Bridgewater as the last pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. In his second season, he led the Vikings to win their division. He was also chosen for the Pro Bowl. After a serious leg injury, he played in only one game over the next two years.
Bridgewater joined the New Orleans Saints in 2018 as a backup. He later became the starter when Drew Brees was injured. He helped the Saints get the top spot in their conference. He also played as a starter for the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. He spent his last two seasons as a backup for the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.
After retiring from the NFL in 2023, Bridgewater became the head football coach at Miami Northwestern, his old high school. He led Miami Northwestern to a state championship. Bridgewater returned to the Detroit Lions in 2024.
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Early Life and High School Football
Teddy Bridgewater was born in Miami, Florida, on November 10, 1992. His parents are Teddy Bridgewater Sr. and Rose Murphy. He went to Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Later, the school's football field was named after him.
High School Achievements
In his second year, Bridgewater became the starting quarterback. He led a team that had been national champions in 2007. He completed 97 of 160 passes for 1,560 yards. He threw 16 touchdowns and ran for two more. Northwestern finished the season with 13 wins and 3 losses.
As a junior, Bridgewater threw for 2,546 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also ran for 379 yards and five scores. In one game, he completed 19 of 24 passes for 327 yards. He set a Dade County record with seven touchdowns. He was named second-team All-State. Northwestern finished that season with 10 wins and 2 losses.
In his senior year, Bridgewater had 2,606 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. He missed some games due to a leg injury. He also ran for 223 yards and eight scores. Northwestern had a 9–3 record.
Experts considered Bridgewater one of the best quarterback prospects in the country. He played in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He first planned to go to the University of Miami. But he later changed his mind and committed to the University of Louisville.
College Football Career
Freshman Year (2011)
At Louisville in 2011, Bridgewater started as a backup. But by the fourth game, he became the main starter. He completed 191 of 296 passes for 2,129 yards. He threw 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was named the Big East Rookie of the Year. He was also named a freshman All-American by several sports groups.
Sophomore Year (2012)
In 2012, Bridgewater started 11 of 12 regular season games. In one game, he came off the bench while injured. He led his team to a win and a Big East title. This earned them a spot in the BCS. He completed 267 of 387 passes for 3,452 yards. He threw 25 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. He was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Sugar Bowl Victory
Bridgewater and his team played against the Florida Gators in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Many thought Louisville would lose. But Bridgewater threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the game's MVP in their 33–23 win.
Junior Year (2013)
As a junior in 2013, Bridgewater completed 303 of 427 passes. He gained 3,970 yards with 31 touchdowns and four interceptions. In his last college game, he completed 35 of 42 passes for 447 yards. He threw three touchdowns and was named the game's MVP.
Professional Football Career
Joining the NFL
Before the 2014 NFL draft, many thought Bridgewater would be one of the top players chosen. On January 1, 2014, he decided to leave college early for the NFL draft.
The Minnesota Vikings picked Bridgewater as the 32nd player in the first round. The Vikings traded some of their other draft picks to move up and choose him. Bridgewater signed a four-year contract with the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings (2014–2017)
Bridgewater started his first NFL season as a backup quarterback. He made his NFL debut on September 21, 2014. He came into the game after the starting quarterback was injured. Bridgewater then became the main starter for the rest of the season.
In his first NFL start, he threw for 317 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. He helped the Vikings win that game. He set a team record for most wins by a rookie starting quarterback. He finished his first year with 2,919 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the 2014 NFL All-Rookie team quarterback. Fans also voted him the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award.
2015 Season and Pro Bowl
In 2015, Bridgewater helped the Vikings win their first division title since 2009. He finished the season with 3,231 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. On January 25, 2016, he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl.
Injury and Recovery
On August 30, 2016, Bridgewater suffered a very serious injury to his left leg during practice. He tore a major ligament and dislocated his knee. This meant he missed the entire 2016 season. Doctors said his recovery would take a long time.
In 2017, Bridgewater worked hard to recover. He started throwing again and doing individual drills. He was cleared to practice in October. On November 8, he was added back to the team's active roster. He played in one game in Week 15. The crowd gave him a standing ovation when he entered the game.
New York Jets (2018)
On March 18, 2018, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.
New Orleans Saints (2018–2019)
On August 29, 2018, the Jets traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints. He made his Saints debut on October 8.
In 2019, Bridgewater signed a new contract with the Saints. He became the starting quarterback in Week 3 after Drew Brees was injured. He led the Saints to several wins. In Week 5, he threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He continued to play well until Brees returned in Week 8.
Carolina Panthers (2020)
On March 26, 2020, Bridgewater signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. He made his Panthers debut in the first game of the season. He threw for 269 yards and a 75-yard touchdown. In Week 3, he got his first win as a Panther.
Bridgewater finished the 2020 season with his highest career numbers. He had 340 completions, 3,733 passing yards, and 15 touchdowns. He also rushed for 279 yards.
Denver Broncos (2021)
On April 28, 2021, Bridgewater was traded to the Denver Broncos. He competed for the starting quarterback job and won it.
In his Broncos debut, he completed 28 of 36 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team to a 27–13 victory. He helped the Broncos start the season with three wins. However, he suffered a concussion in Week 15. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season. He finished 2021 with 3,052 passing yards and 18 touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins (2022)
On March 17, 2022, Bridgewater signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in several games when the starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, was injured. In Week 4, he threw for 193 yards and a touchdown. In Week 5, he left the game due to a concussion. He also suffered a broken finger in Week 17.
Detroit Lions (2023–present)
On August 10, 2023, Bridgewater signed with the Detroit Lions. This reunited him with his former coach, Dan Campbell.
In December 2023, Bridgewater announced he planned to retire from the NFL after the season. He officially retired on February 2, 2024. However, one year later, he announced he would continue playing. He re-signed with the Lions on December 26, 2024. He briefly played in a playoff game, completing one pass for 3 yards.
Coaching Career
After the Lions' 2023 season, Bridgewater confirmed his retirement from playing. He was then named the head coach for Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his old school. In his first season as coach, Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern to win the Class 3A state title in Florida.
Personal Life
Teddy Bridgewater grew up in Miami. He was the youngest of four children, raised by a single mother. He is a Christian. He earned a degree in Sports Administration from the University of Louisville. His mother, Rose, is a breast cancer survivor. In 2014, a car company gave his mother a pink Cadillac Escalade. This was because Bridgewater had always wanted to buy her one since he was a child.
Images for kids
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Bridgewater during 2014 training camp
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Bridgewater handing off the ball against the Chicago Bears
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Bridgewater in 2017
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Bridgewater in 2018
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Bridgewater with the Carolina Panthers in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Teddy Bridgewater para niños
