Bridgewater's NFL jersey among top sellers
Teddy Bridgewater hasn't taken a snap in an NFL game, and already the former University of Louisville quarterback is surpassing some of the league's best in at least one statistical category.
Bridgewater's No. 5 Minnesota Vikings jersey ranked 13th in sales during the first quarter of the NFL's fiscal year, according to ESPN.com, making him the third-highest rookie behind the Cleveland Browns' Johnny Manziel (No. 1 overall) and St. Louis Rams' Michael Sam (No. 6).
To add, the NFL's fiscal year started April 1. Bridgewater didn't even become a Viking until the May 9 draft.
Per ESPN, other rookies with top-selling uniforms are top pick and Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (16th) and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (18th).
Bridgewater didn't fare as well in a ranking closer to his heart. The avid Madden video game player, who often speaks of taking "virtual reps," learned of his rating in a video published to EA Sports' YouTube page this week
The final number wasn't revealed — you've got to get the game to see where Bridgewater rates on a scale from 1-99 — but based upon his reaction, it can't be too high.
"C'mon now," Bridgewater said after learning of it in the video, laughing. "I play so much Madden, I could probably rate myself."
Bridgewater and the Vikings report to camp Friday, when his competition for the starting quarterback job with veteran Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder officially starts.
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.