There were 19 players from Miami (Fla.) high schools on Kickoff Weekend rosters, the most of any city. Houston produced the second-most players in 2021 (18), after leading the NFL with 24 players last year. New Orleans ranked third this year with 15 players.

One of the players from Miami is 2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner and Denver Broncos quarterback TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, whose Miami Northwestern Senior High School is one of four schools with more than five NFL players on Kickoff Weekend rosters.

“It challenged you because everyone was talented,” said Bridgewater on how playing football in Florida prepared him for the NFL. “Every neighborhood, you go out and play sandlot football, you go play organized football and the talent level is there. In high school you’re going against some of the best athletes in the country. I think that prepared me for where I am today.”

COURTESY NFLmedia.com