Teddy Bridgwater-Just drafted by Vikings-Bought Mom a Pink Escalade like he promised when he was 9

[kpete]

Teddy Bridgwater, just drafter in the first round by the Vikings, bought his mom a Pink Escalade like he promised when he was 9.
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/05/10/bridgewater-mom/8912401/

[grilled onions]

1. Way To Go Son...Keep Honoring Those Promising!

It reminds me of how much Duke Ellington "spoiled" his mother and how she was the most important person in his life.
Happy Mothers Day to those who are mothers and to those who who "mother" society by nurturing the land,flowers,trees,by caring for others when need be.

[Myrina]

2. Actually, HE didn't buy it.

The Escalade was "provided by" Cadillac - a gimme in exchange for publicity or ads or something.

[Lizzie Poppet]

8. You could argue he "bought" it with years of hard work, though.

The amount of dedicated effort it takes, even for the most physically gifted athletes, to get to the top of their sport is mind-blowing.

[calimary]

18. True. He was able to get that kind of perk because of the work he did and what he earned

in pro sports. Hey, who cares? He remembered his mama, and his promises to her! GOOD for HIM!!!! Use whatcha got!

[xmas74]

3. I heard about it a couple of days ago.

He got it right before the draft. He knew he was being drafted and within the first two rounds. He was drafted at the end of the first day.

It's pink because his mother had breast cancer. I think it's wonderful that Cadillac gave her the custom made vehicle. Of course, with it being for Teddy's mother they knew it would get lots of attention. Still, it's a good thing.

[edhopper]

4. Nice story

but what the hell does she need such a big fuel guzzler for?

[Brother Buzz]

13. Tailgate parties!

[edhopper]

16. good one

[Doctor_J]

5. Congrats Teddy, but please be careful

[FarCenter]

6. A fool and his money are soon parted.

[Ed Suspicious]

7. Maybe a bit too judgmental for the spirit of this thread?

[FarCenter]

9. Potential Draft Picks Should Stop Spending All Their Future Money

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2054396-potential-draft-picks-should-stop-spending-all-their-future-money

According to a 2009 Sports Illustrated article, 60 percent of former NBA players are broke within five years of retirement. By the time they have been retired for two years, 78 percent of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress. Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical problems and naturally prone to showing off, many pro athletes get shocked by harsh economic realities after years of living the high life. Drawing surprisingly vulnerable confessions from retired stars like Keith McCants, Bernie Kosar and Andre Rison, as well as Marvin Miller, the former executive director of the MLB Players Association, this fascinating documentary digs into the psychology of men whose competitive nature can carry them to victory on the field and ruin off it.

It appears that he didn't actually pay for it, although perhaps he sacrificed a sponsorship opportunity.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24557432/teddy-bridgewater-didnt-actually-buy-his-mom-a-pink-cadillac

[exboyfil]

19. They should take half of that first contract

and put it into something like an annuity or irrevocable trust investing in a low risk diversified portfolio. Bobby Bonilla had it right. I would argue that they should do the same for the second contract (which for the elite athletes is much greater because of having no rookie restrictions).

[Doctor_J]

10. watch the video in my other post

if he doesn't overspend, he'll be the exception

[TBF]

11. Seriously? Giving a car to his mother

is a problem in your book?

It is part of an endorsement deal and he made a gesture to his mom - probably for supporting him and making his efforts to athletics possible. He likely feels she contributed to his career. I cannot imagine why someone would bad mouth that.

Unless of course they value money over people.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

12. Maybe the problem is that these careers are fleeting

Investing that first check in a new house or something that isn't almost completely worthless the minute you start it up is a smarter move for mom and her future.

If it was given to him by Cadillac, that's another story.

[TBF]

14. It was a gift from Cadillac. Here -

I went ahead and got the cite for you: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/teddy-bridgewater-pink-cadillac-mom-gift

[WilliamPitt]

15. He got a car for his mom.

A lot of people in this thread need to go outside more and stop indulging in the easy game of anonymous judgment.

[Enthusiast]

17. How incredible! Way to go, Teddy!

We watched Teddy several times over the past season. He is an impressive football player. I wish him all the luck going forward.