DeSantis Signs Florida Teddy Bridgewater Act for Coach Expenses

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Friday allowing middle and high school head coaches in the state to use up to $15,000 of their own money to support student-athletes with food, transportation, and recovery services. The law, known as the Teddy Bridgewater Act, stems from the suspension of former Miami Northwestern High School coach Teddy Bridgewater after he revealed he had spent thousands of dollars of his own funds on player expenses during the 2024 season.

The legislation requires written parental consent and full reporting to the Florida High School Athletic Association. It applies only to a team’s head coach, caps personal spending at $15,000 per team per year, and prohibits using the funds for recruiting purposes. The bill passed unanimously through both the Florida House and Senate before reaching the governor’s desk.

Bridgewater, a former NFL quarterback who led Miami Northwestern to a Class 3A state championship in his lone season as coach, was suspended last year after a social media post detailing weekly costs of $700 for Uber rides, $1,300 for athletic recovery services, and $2,200 for pregame meals. At the time, the FHSAA considered those benefits...