Florida Senate passes 'Teddy Bridgewater bill' to allow high school coaches to pay for athlete benefits
CBS Sports
by
Carter Bahns
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Florida Senate has passed the "Teddy Bridgewater bill," which allows high school head coaches to use personal funds to provide financial assistance to athletes, as long as they report their expenses. The bill was inspired by NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was suspended from his coaching role at Miami Northwestern High School after admitting he spent $27,000 of his own money on benefits for his players, including Uber rides, meals, and recovery-related costs. If Senate Bill 178 becomes law, coaches would be permitted to make similar personal expenditures, though they must disclose their spending.
The suspension arose from a social media post by Bridgewater, where he revealed the extent of his financial support for his team. He had been coaching the Wildcats during the 2024 season and had led them to a Florida Class 3A state championship before leaving to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The bill's passage would effectively legalize the kind of actions that led to Bridgewater's suspension, allowing coaches to use their own money to support athletes in need.
This legislation is particularly relevant for schools in challenging environments like Miami Northwestern, where coaches often face the dual burden of fostering success on and off the field. By enabling personal expenditures for benefits, the bill aims to provide greater flexibility for coaches to support their players, especially in underserved communities. However, critics argue that it could create unfair advantages for wealthier programs or individual coaches willing to invest significant personal resources.
The bill is part of a broader trend toward redefining the role and responsibilities of high school coaches. While supporters view it as a way to empower educators to better support their athletes, opponents worry about potential
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026