Florida has passed a new law named after former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, opening a new avenue for high coaches to help student-athletes.
After the state legislature gave unanimous approval to the new bill, called the “Teddy Bridgewater Act,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law on May 22. According to this new framework, the high school head coaches can now officially use their own money to help athletes with basic needs such as meals, transportation, and recovery services.
Why Is It Called the Teddy Bridgewater Act?
The legislation was inspired by a controversial incident when Teddy Bridgewater was the coach at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School.
After winning the Florida state championship in 2024, one year later, Bridgewater revealed he used his own pockets to pay for Uber rides, meals, recovery help, and other necessities for student-athletes, especially those who came from underprivileged backgrounds.
However, this act was strictly against the rules of Florida High School Athletic Association. As a result, he was suspended from his coaching duties.
After the controversial suspension, a movement started to make changes so that head coach can help student in need from their own pockets. This new legislation does that.
However, there are some limitations under the bill, which the coaches will need to comply if they want to help their student-athletes.
Under this law, head coaches can spend up to $15,000 per team annually from their own pockets. This expense can only be used for food, transportation, rehabilitation, and recovery-related services. Most importantly, this should not be used for recruiting.
The coaches will need to report their spending to state athletic authorities. Moreover, this law is only applicable to head coaches. Assistants or outside parties are not part of this group.
It’s important to note that the law requires the FHSAA to adopt bylaws permitting this type of support as it needs to be done “in good faith” for student welfare. The law will take effect from July 1.
The bill has been praised by many since many student athletes in Florida programs come from underprivileged backgrounds. There are some critics against this laws, who believe this could be used to benefit recruiting unlawfully.
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