New Florida law lets coaches help cover costs for student-athletes

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — A new Florida law inspired by former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is changing what middle and high school coaches can do for their student-athletes.

The law, known as the “Teddy Bridgewater Act,” allows middle and high school head coaches to spend up to $15,000 of their own money to support student-athletes. That money can go toward things like food, transportation, recovery services and equipment.

For some Southwest Florida coaches and parents, the new law is about more than sports. They say it could help remove some of the financial barriers that keep kids from getting on the field.

At a youth football camp in Buckingham, Coach Ed Gant said he sees the need firsthand.

“A lot of parents don’t have the means,” Gant said. “But they got talented kids, God-given kids, so it’s like they want to play.”

Gant said the law should have been passed sooner.

“My thoughts on it — it should have been done,” Gant said. “You've got to understand, from the inner city, you've got so many kids who go without.”

The Teddy Bridgewater Act was inspired by Bridgewater’s time coaching at his former high school in Miami. Bridgewater, who played quarterback in the NFL, stepped away from playing in 2023 to coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. He later revealed he had used his own money to help cover expenses for players, including transportation, recovery and pre-game meals.

That situation sparked a larger conversation about what coaches are allowed to provide for players — and whether rules should prevent them from helping kids with basic needs.

Gant said coaches often become much more than the people running drills at practice.

“You’re a teacher. You’re a father figure. You’re a brother. You’re a big uncle,” Gant said.

He said he has helped kids before and plans to keep doing so. For him, the law acknowledges something many coaches have already been doing quietly.

“I’m helping out kids all the time,” Gant said.

For families, the cost of football can add up quickly.

Demetria Rolle is a football mom from Immokalee. Her son has played football since he was four years old, and she said the sport has become a major part of their family’s life.

But she said it is not cheap.

“We spend roughly four or $500 a year on cleats,” Rolle said. “We have to buy shoulder pads if the child wants a certain one for protection. My son has been a quarterback, so there are shoulder pads out there made for quarterbacks. We purchase those, getting the right helmet for the kids, paying for travel and registration, different seven-on-seven camps for the training. So you’re spending roughly $1,500 to $2,000 every football season.”

Rolle said not every family can afford those costs. Every year, she said, there are kids in her organization who need help paying just to participate.

“Every year we have roughly 15, 20 athletes in our organization that need help for registration fees,” Rolle said.

For coaches like Gant and parents like Rolle, the law is not just about football. They said it is about opportunity, mentorship and making sure kids who want to play have the chance to do it.