After 9 seasons and stints on six completely different NFL groups, Detroit Lions backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater introduced his plans to retire on the finish of this season, per Dave Birkett of “The Detroit Free Press,” on “X,” on Saturday.
Bridgewater, who was drafted out of Louisville with the final decide of the primary spherical on the 2014 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, might simply look again on his profession as certainly one of disappointment — thanks largely to accidents.
As an alternative, he advised Birkett they made him extra comfy together with his choice.
“Once I obtained damage, I noticed that I am solely a soccer participant for 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon,” he stated.
“Exterior of that, I am Theodore Bridgewater, so it simply put all the things into perspective, and it actually helped me not even have to consider not being a starter [anymore]. It is like, ‘Man, I nonetheless obtained function.’ And my function is greater than the sport of soccer. Soccer is only a platform that I’ve.”
“Teddy Two Gloves” appeared destined for achievement on the skilled degree after making the Professional Bowl in 2015, his first season because the Vikings full-time starter.
However Bridgewater suffered a season-ending torn ACL in training camp the following yr, and he’d make only one extra look in purple and gold earlier than signing on to backup Jamies Winston in Tampa Bay.
There he confirmed sufficient in a 5-0 stint as a starter for the injured Winston in 2019 to earn an opportunity to begin once more for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and for the Denver Broncos in 2021 and compiled an 11-18 document.
Now, he is backing up Jared Goff for a Lions crew with the possibility to do one thing it hasn’t in 30 years: win the NFC North.
He advised the “Free Press,” that he is appreciating all the things on the trip for so long as it lasts.
“Everybody sees the wins and losses, and it is the small victories, the each day victories that happen on this locker room,” he stated.
“You discuss a crew that’s younger, fast to run to their telephones after follow, after video games, and also you see guys like mingling and simply having conversations. Pingpong, card desk, cornhole. Guys sitting on the sofa. Like, that is what it is about. That is the league that I got here into, and I am pleased that I get to only see and be part of this nice locker room.”