Todd Bowles saved former first-round pick's career
Todd Bowles' results with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the head honcho, has been a mixed bag so far. There's been some good, but the bad has been displayed as well. Today however, we're here to take a look into Bowles' past, specifically when he was manning the helm as the New York Jets' head […]
Todd Bowles' results with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the head honcho, has been a mixed bag so far. There's been some good, but the bad has been displayed as well.
Today however, we're here to take a look into Bowles' past, specifically when he was manning the helm as the New York Jets' head coach.
During his time there, he signed Teddy Bridgewater after he went down with a very serious knee injury that almost ended his career.
And by the words of the surgeon that repaired the badly damaged knee, he's lucky the injury didn't end his career.
“But it’s certainly the worst knee dislocation in sports I’ve ever seen without having a nerve or vessel injury. … It’s a horrific injury. You’ve torn every single thing in your knee and it’s hanging on by one ligament on one side like a hinge.” via the Washington Post.
After a disappointing, yet uncontrollable ending with the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater landed with the Jets. There, Bridgewater says Bowles helped saved his career.
“When I signed with the Jets, it really was like on a tryout basis almost with Todd Bowles, the head coach, and 'J Mel' (John Mellody) the trainer, he helped me get back to my old self health-wise." Bridgewater said.
Bridgewater added that Bowles himself — and some of his defining characteristics — immensely helped Bridgewater as he tried to get himself going again.
"His charisma and his energy helped me just continue to get that confidence back for myself."
Bowles has commanded respect from a lot of his peers, not only for the work he does on the field, but the people skills he has as well.
Bridgewater's words are another example of that and just how much Bowles can impact the players he coaches.
Featured image via George Walker/The Tennesseean
