ST. PAUL -- Teddy Bridgewater hopes to have an NFL career similar to the one Brett Favre had. The Vikings quarterback also would prefer not to be a celebrity.
Something’s got to give.
For an interview to commemorate his 2014 Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award, the Pioneer Press was invited to submit three questions for Bridgewater to answer. One led to Bridgewater saying he doesn’t want to be regarded as a celebrity and another to him discussing the quarterback he most wants to emulate.
ADVERTISEMENT
Favre, who concluded his career with the Vikings (2009-10), had his best days with Green Bay, leading the Packers to two Super Bowls and winning one.
“If I could be like any other quarterback that played in the National Football League, I would have to say Brett Favre is the guy,” Bridgewater said. “Besides the injuries and the hits and everything, he had a pretty successful career. He’s a Hall a Famer for sure, multiple Super Bowls, and that’s something that I look forward to doing.
“Hopefully, I can win more Super Bowls (than Favre).”
That, of course, would make Bridgewater a celebrity - and a hero in Minnesota, whose NFL fans are still waiting for their first Super Bowl victory after four tries. Keep in mind, the former Louisville star was invited earlier this month to give the “Riders Up” call before the Kentucky Derby.
“I hate to consider myself a celebrity,” Bridgewater said. “I’m still a quarterback in the National Football League. I shy away from celebrity status because I don’t want to be known as that guy. But I had a chance to partake in the events and the festivities of the Kentucky Derby, and that was a huge honor.”
There’s another honor Bridgewater wants much more. The Pioneer Press’ third question was about trying to lead the Vikings to the first Super Bowl victory in the team’s 54-year history.
“The ultimate goal, and that’s why you play this game,” said Bridgewater, who threw for 2,919 yards and 14 touchdown passes as a rookie.
“You play the game to win, and that’s why I’m in Minnesota,” he added. “I want to win championships, and that’s our goal.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Next up for Bridgewater is organized team activities, which begin Tuesday at Winter Park. In responding to a general question posed during the interview, Bridgewater discussed what he wants to work on before next season.
“I look to improve upon being quicker in my decision making, and that will eventually lead to better success for our offense,” he said.
By winning the Pepsi Rookie of the Year award, Bridgewater already is off to quite an NFL start – better than Favre’s. As a rookie with the Atlanta Falcons, Favre attempted just four passes and completed none.
The Pioneer Press is a media partner of Forum News Service.
