It’s possible that Teddy Bridgewater’s very actions that prompted the Florida Legislature to unanimously approve and pass the so-called Teddy Bridgewater Act still would not be permitted by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Bridgewater, a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions, was suspended from coaching for a year after it was determined he provided impermissible benefits to players while coaching Miami Northwestern’s football team in 2024. The biggest issue was Bridgewater revealing in a social media post that he spent $700 a week on Uber rides for his players.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 178 into law on May 22. It allows high school coaches to spend up to $15,000 of their personal funds on student-athlete welfare.
The FHSAA wants it clear that the service provided are for emergencies and not recurring things. That would seem to include daily or weekly Uber rides.
Included in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s agenda for its Board of Directors meeting on June 7-8 is an action item to change the bylaws based on SB 178, the Teddy Bridgewater Act.
The proposed bylaw on Improper Use of Personal Funds (36.4.3.3) includes a line that says it will be considered an impermissible benefit if, “The support is provided on a recurring or routine basis rather than an isolated or emergency basis.”
FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon has recommended the board approve the bylaw and policy amendments as presented. The board will have a chance to discuss the policy at the meeting.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Teddy Bridgewater’s action that prompted bill may not be allowed by FHSAA
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
