Teddy Bridgewater and his girlfriend Erika Cardona met during their first years attending Miami Northwestern High School.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has come out of retirement and signed with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, December 26, 2024, weeks after he coached his high school alma mater to a state championship.
Highlights
- On December 26, 2024, Teddy announced on NFL Network that he intended to continue his playing career in the NFL and that he would be re-signed by the Lions, joining Hendon Hooker in backing up starting quarterback Jared Goff.
- Teddy is in a relationship with Erika Cardona, an American teacher and author of a book named Little Bear Teddy.
- Erika and Teddy have been dating since they were in high school.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Bridgewater’s return does not mean the team is disappointed with the current backup quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Last week, Bridgewater said he wanted to return to the NFL after coaching Miami Northwestern Senior High School, his alma mater, to the Class 3A Florida High School Athletic Association state title earlier this month.
On Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Bridgewater has received NFL coaching inquiries recently but wants to try to win a championship as a player before entertaining those opportunities.
Bridgewater spent last season as the Lions’ backup quarterback behind started Jared Goff.
Campbell said he has been in contact with Bridgewater for some time and that re-signing him was always a possibility because of Bridgewater’s leadership and familiarity with the system.
The Lions organization trusts Bridgewater tremendously and has followed him throughout his high school coaching journey this year.
Campbell said that Bridgewater’s addition is excellent for the team, both on the field and in practice.
His friendly demeanor and many years of experience fit well with players.
Teddy Bridgewater’s Girlfriend, Erika Cardona, Has A Degree In Early Childhood Education
The Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, 32, is dating his high school sweetheart, Erika Cardona. However, they have kept their relationship private.
In September 2015, Player Wives noted Cardona as Teddy’s girlfriend, claiming Cardona had been seen at a Vikings game with Bridgewater’s mother.
Erika Cardona was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Although her birth date has not been mentioned, her physical appearance suggests she is in her early 30s.
Teddy Bridgewater and girlfriend and author Erika Cardona talked about the Little Bear Teddy children’s book she wrote inspired by Teddy pic.twitter.com/CQKBIUk1eC
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 19, 2017
As per the source, Cardona’s father, Luis Cardona, was a Northwestern offensive coach.
Erik has been passionate about reading and writing poems from an early age. She used to convert real-life things into a little sweet poem.
Growing up, Cardona’s enthusiasm to become a port increased with each passing day. She wanted to achieve her dream of becoming the best poetry writer.
She earned a degree in early childhood education and has been teaching children.
Erika started writing a children’s book about his injury when her boyfriend Teddy got injured. She used Teddy’s inspiration and wrote a book called “Little Bear Teddy” in 2017.
In an interview with Carolina Blitz, Cardona said she came up with the idea for “Little Bear Teddy” in 2016 after “the real Teddy had his unfortunate injury.”
She referred to an injury her boyfriend Teddy suffered in preseason 2016 that resulted in a torn ACL, dislocation of the knee joint, and other structural damages.
After her first children’s book, Cardona wrote two more: “Big Dreams Come True” and “Big Change. ”
Those books were inspired by changes in Bridgewater’s career and an unexpected thyroid biopsy in Cardona’s life.
Also, her first book comes with Teddy’s autograph on her website “littlebearteddy.com.”
During an interview with FOX 8 Live, Cardona said,
“I had to remember that Teddy never once complained about his situation or never questioned God,” “So I had to use him as my motivational piece so that I could get through my health scare as well. And I know that children around the world will use his story in the same light look up to him.”
Erika Cardona
Additional Information
- Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr., aka Teddy Bridgewater, graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in Sports Administration.
- He grew up in Miami as the youngest of four children to a single mother, Rose, who is a breast cancer survivor.
- Teddy Bridgewater has an estimated net worth of $24 million as of 2024.
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