ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Since Teddy Bridgewater came out of retirement last month to rejoin the Detroit Lions, he has received plenty of feedback, but the most uplifting has been from his former players.

The players he’s referring to are from Miami Northwestern High School, where Bridgewater, 32, led the team to a Class 3A state championship in his first season as coach at his old school.

Having their head coach back in the NFL – now serving as an emergency backup quarterback for Detroit’s playoff aspirations – adds a special element to their connection.

“They love it,” Bridgewater shared with YSL News Sports. “That’s great feedback. Now, the kids I coached can go to college and share stories about how cool it is to have Teddy Bridgewater as their coach. They can earn some ‘cool points.’”

After practice, sitting at a card table in the Lions locker room, Bridgewater finished a FaceTime call with one of his players, DeAngelo Thompson, a defensive end enrolled early at Syracuse. Their conversation included a bit of show-and-tell.

“I was just talking to him, and he pointed his camera to one of his teammates, another early enrollee, saying, ‘Look, this is my coach right here!’” Bridgewater recalled.

It’s certainly a rare situation for a high school coach to also be an NFL quarterback. Though he “retired” from the NFL after last season, Bridgewater insists that returning later this season was always part of his plan since he felt capable of still playing. He kept in shape and refined his throwing skills while coaching. Detroit brought him back just before Week 17.

Who does that?

“Just the guy you’re talking to,” chimed in Jared Goff, the Lions’ starting quarterback, from his corner locker. “He’s the first ever. Coach Teddy.”

It’s unclear if Bridgewater is the first, but he is certainly one of a kind. Without a doubt, he’s the most captivating backup quarterback in the NFL playoffs. Just weeks after claiming a state championship, the man named Florida’s Coach of the Year is pursuing another title. This adds to the fascinating chapters of Bridgewater’s unique career. He has played for six NFL teams since being drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. He successfully reclaimed his career after a severe knee injury in 2017. In 2018, when Drew Brees was injured, he stepped in and won all five games as the starter for the New Orleans Saints – at a time when Lions coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were on the coaching staff.

Bridgewater lights up when discussing Campbell and Glenn. They are significant factors in his return during this critical time.

“Those are my guys, man!” Bridgewater said. “Dan’s been a standout since his days managing the tight ends with the Saints and even before that. We all share the same mentor.”

That’s Bill Parcells, the Hall of Fame coach residing in Florida. Bridgewater connected with Parcells through Abram Elam, a trusted adviser who is close to the coach Bridgewater played for. Elam introduced them during Bridgewater’s draft preparations.

“If Parcells likes you, you are probably a good person,” Bridgewater said. “I’ve kept in touch with him throughout my career. I’m grateful to have someone like him supporting me.”

“Parcells is the real deal,” Bridgewater added, using slang for ‘gangster.’ “I really appreciate all his support. He tells it like it is.”

The same goes for Campbell and Glenn, who are straightforward. Although Bridgewater adopted some of their coaching styles, he knows how to maintain boundaries.

“Sure, there are some overlaps,” he explained. “However, you’re not managing adults. The way they interact with us isn’t appropriate for kids. They aren’t as mature as we are in the locker room.”

Just as Bridgewater had always intended to re-enter the NFL for a playoff push this season, he also imagined returning to coach at his alma mater. This fulfills a promise to his community, which has faced hardships, and where he is also celebrated as an NFL player who stays involved. Bridgewater often surprises locals by showing up unannounced with a U-Haul filled with toys, clothes, food, and essentials. Coaching is another way he gives back.

“I once sat in that locker room,” he said, reflecting on his upbringing by a single mother, Rose. “I understand the immaturity levels at ages 14, 15, 16, and 17. I recognize I still needed to grow up. I had some amazing coaches, but having additional positive male influences in my life could have helped me mature even more. That’s what I aim to be for these kids. Honestly, I want to help them succeed beyond Miami and leave the city.”

While the Lions have added a safety net with Bridgewater (head coach Campbell has yet to disclose if he’ll replace Hendon Hooker as the No. 2 quarterback or remain an emergency No. 3 for the playoffs), his presence brings extra value in the locker room. Much like with his students, Bridgewater believes his role as an influencer goes beyond just football.

“Those kids possess untapped potential,” Bridgewater stated. “I’m here to help them unlock that and reach new heights. It’s the same with the locker room. Not everyone is a superstar or a true professional. I find myself mentoring some of the younger guys to help them find stability in this league.”

He has taken an interest in third-year receiver Jameson Williams, who just had his first 1,000-yard season – with the fewest receptions of any 1,000-yard receiver this year, as Bridgewater pointed out in a recent social media update – but has faced two suspensions from the NFL for off-the-field issues. Bridgewater shared how he witnessed former Vikings teammate Stefon Diggs invest in the details and rise from a fifth-round pick to an All-Pro.

“There’s so much potential in Jameson Williams,” Bridgewater noted.

His advice to Williams: “Stef did it this way. You’re not Stef – every player has a different journey – but if you follow this path, I promise you can achieve similar success and shine in this league.”

It’s clear some younger teammates are eager to learn from Bridgewater’s wisdom. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold recently told Bridgewater he wanted to “give him his flowers now” because he admired his college career.

“I’ll never forget seeing him at Louisville, when he got his helmet knocked off but got up with a smile,” Arnold recalled. “It shows how he handles trials and tribulations with a positive attitude…

Arnold added, “He brings a great vibe to the locker room, especially his old-school perspective and mentorship.”

Despite all this, Bridgewater’s competitive drive remains strong. While the first-seeded Lions signed him primarily for backup, his influence could greatly impact the team behind the scenes, even during practices.

However, winning is clearly important to him. He reflects on the satisfaction of leading his team to the state title with a 12-2 record.

“It was everything,” Bridgewater said. “You face so much negativity from those who watched you grow. There are so many hidden agendas and people wanting to see you fail. You feel like a ‘crab in a bucket.’”

He refers to the skeptics who questioned why he was given the high school coaching position. After some early losses, the negativity increased.

“So having the success we achieved is the ultimate ‘take that’ to everyone who doubted us or hoped we’d stumble.” Bridgewater continued, “Now my kids can walk around as champions. When you see them, call them champs.”

Now, the coach is aiming for another crown. He hopes this comeback will culminate in a Super Bowl victory, particularly in New Orleans, a place he considers a second home.

“New Orleans is special to me,” he said. “They embraced me when I was there, and, you know, I did win five games for them.”

Perhaps soon, people will also refer to Bridgewater as a champion – in multiple ways.

Follow News Sports’ Jarrett Bell on X, @JarrettBell