Former Vikings QB to be honored for impressive college career

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be honored by his alma mater as the Louisville Cardinals will induct him into the Hall of Fame as they host the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday.

Bridgewater is getting his jersey honored by the University after a standout collegiate career that led him to be selected by the Vikings with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Bridgewater had a solid freshman season with the Cardinals in 2011, playing in all 13 games and completing 64.5 percent of his passes for 2,129 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. The Miami native broke out during his sophomore season, however, leading the nation with a 68.5 percent completion rate and 27 touchdowns while throwing for 3,718 yards and just eight interceptions.

Bridgewater capped off his sophomore season by throwing for 266 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the Cardinals' win over Florida in the 2103 Sugar Bowl and solidified his status as a top draft prospect after leading the nation in completion percentage (71.0), passing yards (3,970) and touchdown passes (31) during his junior season in 2013.

Former Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater to be honored by Louisville on Saturday

Considered by some as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, Bridgewater slid because of a poor pre-draft workout, so Minnesota traded up to get him at the end of the first round.

His first two seasons with the Vikings seemed promising, especially after leading the team to an NFC North championship and a Blair Walsh field goal shy of a playoff win in 2015. But a career-altering leg injury before the 2016 season changed everything.

Bridgewater came back to play in one more game for the Vikings in 2017, but he spent the rest of his career bouncing around the NFL. He went on to play nine seasons in the league, spending time with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions before retiring after the 2023 season.

Bridgewater is now the head football coach at his high school alma mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Florida, and will be honored by the school where he ranks third all-time with 9,817 passing yards and 72 touchdowns.

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