Teddy Bridgewater is active for an NFL game for the first time in 442 days, and he was overcome with emotion just being able to return.
Bridgewater wiped away tears on the bench, realizing he’s finally back with his team. The Vikings’ quarterback didn’t get the start on Sunday against Washington, but he’s active should the team decide to make a change.
After the game, Bridgewater commented on this pregame emotions:
Bridgewater cried "tears of joy" during anthem before first game active since Jan. 10, 2016. "Opportunities like these don't come along twice, so when you get that second opportunity, you cherish it, you hold it and you never want to let it go. Today, it got the best of me."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) November 12, 2017
It’s been a impossibly difficult year for Bridgewater after he suffered a horrific injury in the last week of practice before the 2016 season. Coming hot off the heels of a 2015 season that saw him throw for over 3,000 yards, the Vikings were poised to challenge in the NFC North before the injury and were forced to adapt and trade for Sam Bradford.
Now the Vikings are in an inverse situation. Bradford is lost for the year, and Bridgewater is back.