4 LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM TEDDY BRIDGEWATER THIS SUNDAY
Written by Jason DaWayne Smith
It’s Fall, and for many dads like me in the US, Fall means Football, Football, Football.
There’s the nostalgia of growing up playing the game of football as a kid. The smell of fresh fall air. Watching the leaves change colors. As former players, we can’t help but to think back on the many many Saturdays we got up, gave it our all, and were celebrated for being men among boys.
As a father and also a conscious member of society, I’ve grown to both love and maybe loath the sport that helped mold me into the man I am today. Whether it be the lopsided representation of diversity within NFL team ownership, the constant acceptance of crime and violation of women’s rights by star players, the non guaranteed contracts, or the lack of educational priorities for star D1 players - the list goes on and makes it tough to support a sport that represents so much of what’s wrong with American culture and sports today. I look at my sons who are growing and taking on some of my passions - one of which is the sport of football, and I wonder - would I ever let them play this game? Head trauma, lifelong injuries, societal ills, pawns in a larger business empire. Why on Earth would I allow my sons to be a part of this?
I can’t say I have a clear answer for my sons, but as I consider this question, I think on what values did I gain as a young person and how can those values maybe supersede all the bad imagery of such a troubled sport?
Look no further than October 20, 2019 - Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints. Maybe even better - pay close attention to one man - Teddy Bridgewater, former four star recruit, Sugar Bowl MVP, top NFL prospect, starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and now backup quarterback for the New Orleans Saints - leading the Saints towards a 5-0 record with Teddy under center.
“Guaranteed $7.25MM as a backup NFL Quarterback!”
If you don’t know Teddy Bridgewater’s story, the cliff notes go like this. Teddy enters the NFL - 2 very impressive and above average seasons as a starting QB. He finished his second season with a Pro Bowl selection and a playoff appearance in just two years within the NFL. On top of the world!
In 2016 Bridgewater tears his ACL and damages other parts of his knee during practice and some worry whether he will ever walk on two legs again. He overcomes a heroic comeback to play a single game for the Vikings in late 2017, only to be released by the team the following season. In 2018, he signs a career low $500K contract with the New York Jets, then gets traded for nothing more than a 3rd round draft pick! Talk about hero to zero. Teddy somehow finds his way onto the New Orleans Saints in 2018, where he did enough to sign a $7.25MM guaranteed contract as a backup QB in 2019. Let’s say this again - a $7.25MM contract, not as a starter, but as the BACKUP Quarterback of an NFL team.
As I’m watching the Bears get demolished by the Saints this past Sunday, I find myself oddly, cheering for Teddy. Not because he’s winning but because of what his story represents for my sons and for me as a father and professional. Let’s take a look at 4 key lessons we can all learn from Teddy Bridgewater’s 2019 season as the highest paid Backup QB in the NFL.
INVEST IN DEPTH: As a father, a leader, and professional - never ever overlook the power of depth. Yes, I have two sons, but I treat them equally, and invest in my second son just as if he was born first. Junior staff members have access to the same opportunities as senior staffers. Having the wisdom and faith to create depth in your personal and professional communities is absolutely critical.
YOUR TRASH, MY GOLD: As a professional, and as a leader - someone else’s trash can always be your gold. The key to transforming that trash into riches is treating your talent, your mentees, whomever - as if they were number 1! Respect, love, and attention begets respect, love and commitment. A $7.25MM contract to a backup says a lot about how much the Saints value Teddy as a key member of their organizational success.
BEAT YOUR OWN BENCHMARKS, NOT THEIRS: There’s a saying - “every satback is a setup for a comeback”. Despite Teddy’s 2016 injury, downgrade in league respect - he committed everything in him to prove to himself that he wouldn’t be defeated by public or team perspective. He knew his personal worth, understood his values and used that injury as inspiration to be considered one the the leagues top quarterbacks today - AS A BACKUP!
STRATEGIC PATIENCE CAN BE YOUR BEST MOVE: While Teddy is a backup QB today, he’s also just 26 years old with an entire career ahead of him. Sitting behind future hall of fame quarterback Drew Brees as a backup is like deciding to be #2 behind Steve Jobs. The insight, real life skills, and confidence you can build by watching and learning from such a successful leader can only benefit your growth and development. There’s a lot of value in picking your spots and being patient when it counts.
While I’m still hurt by the onslaught of the Bears at the hands of Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints this Sunday, I couldn’t be more inspired by such a young, humble, and committed young man - maybe Football isn’t that bad after all?