Louisville greats Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater reunite for Derby City Reunion Weekend

Former University of Louisville quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Lamar Jackson spent Saturday afternoon throwing touchdowns to local kids and hosting the Derby City Reunion Weekend at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center.

The event, held as the NFL wrapped up its draft, provided kids ages 5-17 the opportunity to meet Jackson, Bridgewater and other stars like NBA champion and former University of Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo and U of L assistant basketball coach Nolan Smith.

While the kids played, local health organizations set up booths to schedule screenings and share resources to lead healthier lifestyles. The event started at 9 a.m., and the center had kids circling the building to meet Bridgewater and Jackson.

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"We know how the West End feels about us and all the kids that are less fortunate and stuff like that in the city," Jackson said. "They're looking up to us and seeing the things we're doing out there on the field and in the community — it feels amazing."

Jackson, the only Cardinal to win the Heisman trophy, has morphed into a star with the Baltimore Ravens and enjoyed spending time back in Louisville.

"It's really an overwhelming feeling," said Jackson, a Florida native. "Seeing their faces light up, they were yelling at us, 'You made my day, you made my year.' Stuff like that is touching to us."

Bridgewater, who plays for the Miami Dolphins, appreciated his visit as well. And once he finished a meal at his favorite college spot, Chicken King, he headed to the center to link with his pal.

"I'm a fan of (Lamar's), and he's a fan of mine," Bridgewater said.

Jackson became a fan of Bridgewater after watching him win the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Jackson lists Bridgewater as one of the reasons why he became a Cardinal. Their friendship developed once Jackson got to campus and strengthened over the years.

"It started here at Louisville, being a Cardinal for life," Jackson said about his friendship with Bridgewater. "He being right there in Florida, just like I am, I can reach out to him anytime I need him. We need to train."

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Bridgewater and Jackson are from Florida, but the Louisville homecoming was special for both Cardinal legends. Alongside Rondo, Bridgewater and Jackson received keys to the city from Mayor Greg Fischer.

Bridgewater and Jackson sees the benefit in events like the Derby City Reunion Weekend and hopes they're more frequent in the future. They certainly don't mind having a reason to see each other off the gridiron.

"It's great being here at this event, feeling the love that we're both getting," Bridgewater, said. "Hopefully we can continue to do something like this every year."

Bridgewater especially was blown away by the size and scope of the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center. He remembers when the project was first announced in 2017 and would've never imagined seeing a facility that scope in the West End.

"It's a great feeling coming back here, six years later seeing this facility, it's all about giving resources to the community," Bridgewater said. "This is another resource for the community. There's going to be another Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater, DeVante Park, Jamon Brown come out of Louisville, that will use this facility, that had this resource."

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater host Derby City Reunion Weekend